Eligibility to contest in Malawi 2019 elections

Voter registration came to an end on November 9, 2018. The preparations for 2019 Tripartite Elections continue. The Commission is now planning for voter verification and nomination of candidates.
Because of the increasing number of enquiries from aspirants, this week we look again at the eligibility criteria to contest for the Presidential, Parliamentary or Local Government Elections on May 21, 2019.
Nomination papers will be available for collection from Constituency Returning Officers, Council offices and from MEC from January 4 to February 8, 2019. All candidates standing on party ticket will get their nomination papers from their respective secretaries general. All those contesting for presidency will collect nomination papers from the MEC head office.
 
The presentation of nomination papers is scheduled to take place from 4 to 8 February 2019. Candidates and political parties wishing to contest in the 2014 Tripartite Elections should ensure that they check if they or their candidates are eligible to contest. This will help save time and resources on their part. The eligibility criteria are as follows:
1.    Office of the President: No person shall qualify for nomination unless he or she:
·       is a citizen of Malawi by birth or descent;
·       has attained the age of 35 years and or above
·       is able to speak and to read the English language well enough to take an active part in the proceedings of Parliament;
·       is a registered voter
 
2.    office of Member of Parliament: No person shall qualify for nomination unless he or she:
·       is a citizen of the Republic who at the time of nomination has attained the age of 21 years and or above
·       is able to speak and to read the English language well enough to take an active part in the proceedings of Parliament;
·       Is a registered voter
 
3.    office of Ward Councillor: No person shall qualify for nomination unless he or she:
·       has attained the age of 21years and or more on the day of nomination
·       is able to speak and to read English language well enough to take an active part in the proceedings of the council
·       is a registered voter
 
The eligibility age should be attained on the day of submitting nomination papers to the returning officer.
Notwithstanding the above conditions, no one shall qualify for nomination to contest in the election of President, Member of Parliament and Ward councillor, if the person:
 
1.       owes allegiance to a foreign country;
2.       is, under any law in force in the Republic, adjudged or otherwise declared to be of unsound mind
3.       has, within the last seven years, been convicted by a competent court of a crime involving dishonesty or moral turpitude;
4.       is an undischarged bankrupt, having been adjudged or otherwise declared bankrupt under any law in force in the Republic;
5.       holds, or acts, in any public office or appointment
6.       belongs to, and is serving in the Malawi Defence Forces, the Malawi Police Service and the Malawi Prison Service; and
7.       has, within the last seven years, been convicted by a competent court of any violation of any law relating to elections.
 
Electoral stakeholders should note that academic or educational qualifications like holding a Malawi School Certificate (MSCE) or a first degree are not part of the eligibility criteria for any of the three positions.

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Romsey
Romsey
5 years ago

At least academic qualifications could have been taken into consideration. Anthu oti analephera sukulu angakwanitse kuyendetsa dziko? Talifunirani zabwino dzikoli inu a MEC.

Che Wanimiliyoni
Che Wanimiliyoni
5 years ago

On eligibility criteria to contest as a ward councillor one need not be a citizen of Malawi but further down it states one shall not qualify for nomination as a ward councillor if owes allegiance to a foreign country. Am failing to tie the two because if one is not a citizen it means one owes allegiance to a foreign country.

Unoka
Unoka
5 years ago

So what is required for one to compete for these positions is attainment of a certain age and be able to speak and write in English full stop, no academic and professional qualification are required. No wonder this country is under going economic stagnation. The development of any nation is contingent to the policies it adopts , and a sound parliament is central as far as this issue is concerned. How do you expect such crop of parliamentarians to effectively articulate issues of national importance and add value to the sitting parliament? Nothing, except hand clapping, tea breaks, allowances etc… Read more »

MAbvuto akula
MAbvuto akula
5 years ago
Reply to  Unoka

You are quite write. A President should just be able to read and write English? Wow!! I suggest at least a first degree from a recognised university for Presidential candidates and a college diploma for MPs and MSCE for councilors as the minimum. Bola apa.

Audrey Mainala
Audrey Mainala
5 years ago

you meant 2019 elections not 2014
correct those

Bonte
Bonte
5 years ago
Reply to  Audrey Mainala

I also noted this, guess it was a slip of the typing hand

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