Independents to back Nancy Tembo for Speaker’s post

The newl –elected independent members of Parliament  have resolved to field one of their own for the leadership position of Speaker, First Deputy  Speaker and Second Deputy Speaker.

The development comes after 30 independent legislators met in Lilongwe on the sidelines if the orientation of MPs as they strategised to field among them in the Speaker’s race.

Independents block have advised each other to indicate their academic and professional achievements to draw up a nomination list

Nancy Tembo from Lilongwe City South is a front-runner for the First Deputy Speaker’s post from the independent block.

Madalitso Fred Kazombo (Kasungu East), a chartered accountant who has worked as a senior auditor in the private sector,  has also expressed interest to contest as deputy speaker.

“I am interested in the First Deputy speakership,” he said.

Ephraim Kayembe (Dowa West) expressed interest to vie for the position of Second Deputy Speaker.

While 35-year-old Emmanuel Jere (Mzimba South) is also aspiring.

The Speaker would be duly elected by a simple majority and voting is by secret ballot in Parliament Chamber.

Parliament has developed a nomination form which all MPs intending to nominate the speakers must fill before the election.

Parliament distributed the forms to all the legislators yesterday and they are expected to make their nominations prior to or before 9:30am on the day of the elections.

The form has a section where two other MPs are expected to second the nomination.

The nomination is also supposed have consent from the MP being nominated.

Senior Assistant Clerk of Parliament, Joseph Manzi, said all MPs have been notified on the process.