UDF convention starts today live on Zodiak: AA Muluzi set for ‘New beggining’
Around 3,000 delegates from Malawi’s former ruling United Democratic Front (UDF) have gathered in Blantyre for a two-day key national elective conference to decide the route map of the party ahead of next year’s tripartite polls.
The indaba which is slated for Wednesday August 1 up to 2 at the Comesa Hall will be held under the theme” A new begging”.
Party leader Atupele Austin (AA) Muluzi is set to go unopposed as Balaka North legislator Lucius Banda who was the only member of the party who expressed interest to contest against Muluzi has withdrawn and has since joined the United Transformation Movement (UTM) of State vice-president Saulos Chilima.
Muluzi, who is also Minister of Health and Population in the President Peter Mutharika Cabinet, is set to provide direction on whether the UDF will contest the elections with a presidential candidate or he will enter into an electoral alliance.
He is set to define his political journey with a ‘new beginning’ agenda.
UDF secretary general Kandi Padambo said a new National Executive Committee (NEC) is expected to be elected by delegates to the convention who according to the UDF constitution include all NEC members, party executive members, regional committee members and UDF members of Parliament (MPs).
However, according to Padambo, only top 16 positions will be elected at the convention as some will be elected in UDF’s various political regions.
He explained: “The positions to be contested for including that of the President, deputy president, secretary general, deputy secretary general, treasure general, deputy treasurer general, national organising secretary, deputy national organising secretary, publicity secretary, deputy publicity secretary as well as national campaign director and deputy national campaign director.”
According to chairperson of the organising committee for the convention Charles Chikuwo, due to other logistical challenges the convention which was pegged at the tune of K75 million is expected to attract fewer delegates from the previous ones.
Some of the notable gurus who shown interest to contest at the party’s indaba are former cabinet minister Clement Stambuli who is vying for the position of first vice president, former Malawi Electoral Commission(MEC) Commissioner Dr Wellington Nakanga is contesting for the position of the party’s deputy treasure general.
UDF has since created autonomous youth and women wing which according to the party officials will help to create a platform for more participation of the youth and women in the party.
During the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) and Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) conventions in May and July this year respectively, incumbent leaders Lazarus Chakwera and Peter Mutharika were re-elected unopposed.
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Atupele: one of the candidates for DPP running mate in 2019. As Vice President, Atupele can take the boma back to UDF in the event that the presidency will fall vacant. This is the SILENT WISH of all UDF strategists clinging to a working relationship with DPP. The noise from the silence is audible to some of us!
UTM = New beginning. UDF = New beginning. MCP = New beginning. DPP = New beginning. What new politics are they all bringing?
Join the discussion…Kkkkkkkkkkkkk idiots
Atupele ndi mwana wa ababa. SCK seems to be a man on himself. If UDF was not a househld party, there was a need to change leadership. Otherwise, the party will go into extinction.
Mwana analowa chokolo chipani cho Tate wake a Tcheya the likes of Friday Jumbe Makwangwala Cassim Chilumpha Nge Ntafu never got the UDF presidency all that time the royal gown and crown awaited this day the son now takes on the UDF mantle but questions boil down to his relationship with DPP how his capacity to crystallise the UDF principles into election carrots independent of DPP attachment in last four years. Our thanks to Atupele for political palliatives on his dad’s backache DPP was defanged it could have been torturing the old Tcheya with frequent court appearances. Bravo Atu keep… Read more »
Expecting a clean campaign from Atupele. Just be focused.
UNITED DEMOCRATIC FRONT (UDF)
Will bring back our lost pride!
chipani kutha ngati makatani
which lost pride my dear brother? lekani kulota
what Atupele and the entire UDF party has done is democratic .BRAVO ATUPELE