DPP north demands Mutharika appoints running mate from the region

The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) officials from the north are demanding that President Peter Mutharika should appoint a running mate from the region during the Constitutional Court sanctioned fresh election in five months time.

Sources said the regional committee met on Sunday at Mzuzu civic offices where they discussed the issue and other matters.

The meeting was also attended by 55 members of the party and graced by the regional vice president Goodall Gondwe, party treasurer general Jappie Mhango, governing council member Grace Chiumia, among others.

The meeting was mainly called to discuss the recent Constitutional Court ruling which annulled the May 21, 2019 presidential election and its impact on the DPP.

The regional members said although they did not welcome the ruling, there was need to start preparations for the court sanctioned fresh elections in five months time.

They asked the DPP led government to resume the stalled development projects in the north such as the construction of Mombera University.

In an interview with Nyasa Times later, DPP regional governor for the north Kenneth Sanga confirmed the meeting did take place but the issue of running mate was not on the agenda.

“The appointment of the running mate is the prerogative of the president. No one can influence the president in the appointment of the running mate,” said Sanga.

But Sanga said the region would appreciate much if the president appointed a person from the region as the running mate.

Malawi faces a Constitutional Court sanctioned fresh election in five months time after the May 21 presidential election was annulled.

President Peter Mutharika is expected to face political resistance in the north because he has not visited the region since the annulled election.

The north overwhelmingly voted for state vice president Saulos Chilima and his UTM party in the highly disputed annulled election.