5 to take part in presidential debates: Banda, Chakwera, Chilima, Muluzi and Mutharika
Political experts have condemned the scribes body, Media Institute of South Africa (Misa) Malawi chapter for setting tough conditions for presidential candidates in the May 21 2019 Tripartite Elections wishing to participate in presidential candidates which Nyasa Times understands will have five out of nine hopefuls taking part.
The presidential candidates who will ta e part in the upcoming March 29 and April 5 presidential debates include incumbent President Peter Mutharika of Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and Vice-President Saulos Chilima of newly formed UTM Party.
Besides political allies-turned-rivals, Mutharika and Chilima, other candidates in the presidential debate will be are Lazarus Chakwera (Malawi Congress Party-MCP), Joyce Banda (People’s Party-PP) and Atupele Muluzi (United Democratic Front-UDF).
However, presidential candidate John Chisi (Umodzi Party-UP), Peter Kuwani (Mbakuwaku Movement for Development-MMD), Cassim Chilumpha (Tikonze People’s Movement) and Reverend Kaliya (independent) will not take part because they do not fulfil eight requirements, seven of which the candidate should fulfill to qualify.
The requirements include that the candidates, party or coalition should have at least five percent of the 193 seats in the 2014-2019 National Assembly and that the candidate to have structures across the country.
Recating to the development, Mustafa Hussein, a political scientist with the University of Malawi said the conditions were discriminatory.
“Every presidential candidate must be given chance to sell themselves. Malawians should be given chance to select a candidate of their choice,” said Hussein.
But Misa Malawi chairperson Tereza Ndanga said most countries adopt such conditions.
Among others the conditions that,the candidate has developed and publicly presented a policy platform or manifesto before the first debate and can demonstrate an active campaign across the country during the campaign period.
Misa Malawi also say the candidate has demonstrated a proven ability to field no less than 50% of candidates in parliamentary election or ward councillor election, which are proportionally distributed across all 3 regions of the country.
“The candidate can demonstrate a national level of presence by having organisational structures across the country that include elected positions at National Executive Committee, Regional,District and Constituency levels across the country,” says the statement from Misa Malawi.
Misa Malawi also say the candidate can demonstrate an active participation in the political life of the country during the last five years, the candidate has agreed to abide by a commitment of non-violence and the candidate’s party has conducted democratic internal party elections for key positions.
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Its good move not to accomodate everyone. Only potential presidential candidates who can win the elections are supposed to participate. Infact only 3 qualified Saulos Klaus Chilima, Lazarus Chakwera and Peter Mutharika while Atupele and Mai Banda could have been removed from the list azangochedwetsa debate….
winayo nde paja samabwera amanamizira timaulendo
We need another debate for the running mates too. Should for sure be in english.
Some people were making fun of SKC after he featured on HardTalk with Zainab Badawi. Let us see how the APMs and the Chimulirenji of this world will fare on the debate. Of the five, the only candidate who can eloquently articulate issues is Chakwera.
The selection process by MISA is illogical and arbitrary. What on earth does it mean when MISA says that ‘they have followed the selection process because many countries are doing it?” MISA should follow what is just and not what many countries or people are doing. What if these countries are doing the wrong thing?
Are you sure JB will participate? Paja 2014 anayiopera kutali debate🤣🤣🤣
She does not have to participate
Does UTM have structures across the country? I doubt… What structures are your referring to by the way?
UTM doesn’t even have 5% of MP’s who were voted into the house on its ticket, how does it qualify for this debate, Teresa Ndanga? It has no branches, area committees, etc. why favour them?
this is fair , we cannot accomodate everybody
With all the problems we have do we really need debates ? Can we focus and redirect our resources on protecting our brothers and sisters living with albinism!….folks this is a crisis!!!!
Yes we do need debate, this is the only way some candidates can be exposed with their lies in their manifesto simple as.
Chitsiru cha munthu iwe which resources are you talking about zomwezi mukukhalira kubazi.
Please arrange an interpreter for the President.
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 exactly otherwise people wont hear anything
Kkkkkk! That is true! We don’t understand what he says.
PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES LIKE CHISI ARE NOT EVEN NEEDED. SO I WON’T CARE !
APM won’t be there I bet this guy is so arrogant! Likes escaping pvt. media only likes palpet MBC
A Hussein ndinu opola bongo eti? Kodi Kwanu mkuti? Basi mukufuna dziko likhale lodzala ndi zibwana eti?
I guess inu ndi amene mukupangisa kuti Mec izikhala very weak as it is by allowing people playing with them! This is nonsense! You think anthu amene asiyidwawo akudandaula? Za zii!
Koma Atupele ali ku Eastern region kokha ma MP ndi councillors. Mpaneninso
Mudzaone kulankhula kwa wa mano ndi wopanda mano.
Opanda mano apita kukagula dentures. Lol
Let me join the discussion by first answering somebody’s question in the discussions who wonders if UTM has structures starting ; Does UTM have structures ?I think this is nonsense and it just gives the impression that the question comes from somebody who do not follow political issues in the country ,Mind you UTM have strong structures across the country ,it is everywhere in the country do not be mislead by those who are saying that UTM is only in town this is totally liar.Remember that it was the UTM beloved president ,the Malawi Leader in waiting who starting the debate issue saying he is ready for that and it is my prayer that all the mentioned 5 candidates have to take part in the debate enawa asadzathawe kunamizira zina ndi zina ngati ali ndi zoyankhura ngati kulankhurako amatha this is the time to convince Malawians to vote for them . Let us just wait and see mudzamuve Chilima Malawi president in waiting tidzaone ngati simudzatsekura mimba kkkkkkkkk ife a UTM tikuona kuchedwa because we have been ready for the debate .
zawana,not for a dad.Spare the Bigman.No honey moon for the foul mouthed players
palibe wabwino apa a chakwela adasiya zamulungu,chilima akulandila ndalama osagwila ntchito,peter walephela kuthetsa mavuto obedwa kwa ndalama
Has God complained to you that Chakkwera retired from being a fulltime minister of the word.? Get behind me Satan
@Agenda Setting Theory
Many thanks for your good question. Tili ndi abulutu ena pano amene amakonda kulankhula mwa umbuli kuti Chakwera wathawa ntchito ya Mulungu.
Kikkkkk! Satana pa msana pake ndithudi!
Rubbish whats wrong with Chakwera
Ubulutu kuchuluka.
Nanga iwe wabwinowe nkhope yako ili kuti? Just like your name “dickhead.”
Pitaninso ku court ngati za rasta
Does utm have its own Parliamenterians? does it have structures across the country? There are only four parties that qualify and these are : udf, dpp, mcp and pp
Its very interesting. MISA you have shown us that you are serving your political interest. why should you bar a political party for debate while MEC has accepted it to contest the election. Level the playing field. We know that you have been sent …..akukutamani- press officer in the waiting iwe
A MISA zaoneka kuti muli ndi antu anu. The argument advanced by Ndanga is unacceptable. The fact that other countries set such silly conditions does not mean that you cannot do things differently. Are you suggesting that our laws should be the same as other countries’? Every country has its own set of laws so too is the political system. Atolankhani inu ndinu anthu opanda nzeru – muli ngati Ibu wa kuMalawi.
Good move enawa angotitayisa nthawi