PP pulls out of debates, accuses Zodiak of bias
Malawi’s ruling People’s Party (PP) has withdrawn from public debate organised by private broadcaster Zodiak Broadcasting Station (ZBS), accusing the station of favouring one party.
PP secretary-general Paul Maulidi said on Wednesday that the party vice presidential nominee Sosten Gwengwe will not take part in the final round of debate for presidential running mates of the four front-runners in the May polls to be held on Friday at Comesa Hall in Blantyre.
Mauludi said the first debate which was held on March 8 at Bingu International Conference Centre in the capital Lilongwe, ZBS allowed more supporters of Malawi Congress Party (MCP) in the debate venue.
“We raised our concern to managing director of Zodiak,” said Maulidi.
The PP secretary general said the organisers of the debate have “shown that they have not levelled the playing field, they are biased.”
Mauludi said by pulling of the debate PP will not be losing out as he said the party has “other avenues to tell Malawians what we have to offer.”
He said PP released their manifesto and are selling to the electorate through public rallies.
Zodiak managing director Gospel Kadzako said PP’s withdraw is “respected.”
This means the debate now to be in English, opposition DPP’s Saulos Chilima, UDF’s Dr Godfrey Chapola and MCP’s Richard Msowoya, would come together to discuss what they have to offer if they assume office after May 20 Tripartite Elections.
The debates will in the coming days feature other political parties presidential running mates to Petra’s Kamuzu Chibambo, PPM’s Mark Katsonga Phiri, Chipani cha Pfuko’s Davis Katsonga, National Salvation Front’s James Nyondo, Tisintha Alliance’s George Nnensa and United Independent Party’s Helen Singh .
And at the height of the campaign there will be Presidential debates featuring the main hopefuls.
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