13 get presidential nominations in Malawi: Daza, Pastor Natulu among the ‘pretenders’
At least 13 aspirants have obtained presidential nomination papers from the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) as the battle for the May 21 State presidency gets another gear.
The 13 presidential aspirants collected their nomination papers as political experts say the battle remains amongst Democratic Progressive Party (DPP)’s Peter Mutharika, main opposition Malawi Congress Party (MCP)’s Lazarus Chakwera, UTM’s Saulos Chilima, Atupele Muluzi of United Democratic Front (UDF) and former president Joyce Banda (People’s Party –PP).
Others who have collected the nomination forms include former vice-president Dr Cassim Chilumpha of Tikonze Peoples Movement (TPM); Chimbuna Belekiah, United Independence Party (UIP); Dr Chris Daza of the Democratic Peoples Congress (DEPECO) and Peter Kuwani of Mbakuwaku Movement for Development (MMD).
The independent presidential candidates are Dr Henry Jailos Mbewe, Smart Swira, Pastor Dr Baxter Boyd Natulu and Ras Chikomeni David Chirwa.
University of Malawi political scientist Ernest Thindwa said no presidential candidate will win by over 35 per cent.
“No one will win by over 35 per cent. This will be a disaster for our democracy,” said Thindwa.
He said as the situation is as of now, the winner will be declared after amassing a slender vote of 35 per cent and below.
The DPP led government rejected an opposition sponsored bill which would have forced candidates to go for a rerun if they amassed less that 50 per cent of the vote cast.
MEC started the process of presenting nomination papers to aspiring candidates for the presidency, Member of Parliament and Local Government from January 3 and the candidates are expected to submit the papers from February 4-8.
All presidential candidates, party or independent are collecting their nomination papers from the Chief Elections Officer at MEC head office and for all aspiring for a seat in the august House and will contest on political party tickets, are getting their nomination papers through their party Secretaries General or any officer designated to do so.
All independent candidates for Parliamentary elections are collecting theirs from their respective Constituency Returning Officers (CROs), District Commissioners or Chief Executives.
Parliamentary and Local Government candidates will submit their
papers to their respective Constituency Returning Officers while presidential candidates will submit their nomination papers to the Malawi Electoral Commission at the Chichiri International Conference Centre (COMESA) Hall.
MEC also stressed that every candidate is encouraged to take their nomination papers for pre-inspection from the day they collect the papers up to the time before presenting the nomination papers.
According to MEC nomination fees, male aspiring members of Parliament (MPs) will pay K500 000, female MPs K250 000, youth (less than 35 years) K375 000 and candidates with disabilities K250 000.
In the local government elections, male candidates will pay K40 000, females K20 000, youth K30 000 and those with disabilities K20 000. All these fees are non-refundable.
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DPP will regret for rejecting 50+1. God is in control…I dont blame them ita God in making…..blind them
Some of these wishful presidential candidates why can’t they donate their 2,000,000 to the needy students and they receive mdalitso other than making a name for nothing
Koma abale inu, ena mayina a ma presidential candidates akukhala ngati si a Malawi bwanji? Ndiye kuti a MEC akupelekanso ma form kwa anthu akunja eti kikkkkkkkkkkkk. Mpaka Raster! A kazawina, azasegula ma estates a Boma ku Nkhotakota kuti Malawi azilima chamba chambili!
A ENERST THINDWA?????????? kodi u political science wanu munaphunzira kutiiiii?
Mumachitisa manyazi university of Malawi.
That’s why ta ma degree ta Ku Malawi timanyozedwa kunjaku.
If you don’t have clues stay quiet…
We all know now that come 21 May, 2019 Leader of Opposition and Malawi Congress Party (MCP) will carry the day similar like DR CONGO. All the best my President.
If wishes were horses………… All Crocodiles would smile…………..
Much as we appreciate that there is democracy in Malawi, why kuchita makani a nchenche? Unfortunately, some of the parties are family parties or briefcase parties so to say. Why waste time – do as Dr. Chisis has done.
all the best to doctor saulosi chilima the youngest and vibrant presidential candidate of this generation,
No. He is Arafat Hamdan and he is no match even to Chakwera who is far away from APM who will carry the day.
MEC chair pliz my presidential ballot should have only 4 contenders you know who they are pliz
PEOPLE ON WHEELCHAIRS STILL VYING FOR PRESIDENCY ?? WHEN ARE THEY GOING TO SIT DOWN AND EAT THEIR MONEY ?? IN THE GRAVE ??
This is where i question the relevance of educated people, plenty of Doctors who cannot see that there are nothing but mad . They know , there is nothing they will do but still willing to pay 2million . I though education removes ignorance hence makes someone to analyse issues at hand . Congrats DRs .