MEC rejects PP, UDF, DEPECO candidates in Dowa
Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) has rejected nomination papers for People’s Party (PP), Democratic People’s Congress (DEPECO) and United Democratic Front (UDF) aspiring candidates for May 21 2019 tripartite polls on various grounds including non-payment of nomination fees.
The aspirants include Steven Chingondo (PP) and Florence Banda (DEPECO) who had their dreams of contesting for parliamentary seats shattered when Returning Officers for MEC rejected their papers for failing to pay nomination fees.
MEC refused nomination papers for Regina Chunga (UDF) and Steven Chidonti (PP) who wanted to contest for local council seats.
Chunga was rejected for being an unregistered voter while Chidonti failed to pay nomination fees.
Meanwhile battle line are drawn for 47 parliamentary candidates competing for the seven constituencies in the district and 75 aspiring Councillors battling it out for 14 Wards which are at stake.
Parties fielding candidates include the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), main opposition Malawi Congress Party (MCP), UDF, PP and UTM.
However there are 21 candidates contesting on independent tickets, most of whom defected from their parties after being frustrated in party primaries.
In Dowa South East, the incumbent, Steven Njoka Chipeni (MCP) who lost to Halima Daudi during primaries is standing on an independent ticket.
There are 13 female candidates competing for parliamentary seats against 34 males.
