MEC rejects Ras Chikomeni papers to run for Malawi presidency: Given 2 days to act on anomalies

Independent presidential hopeful Ras Chikomeni Kadelere Chirwa presented his nomination papers to the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) on Wednesday aftermoon in preparation for the May 21 2019 Tripartite Elections but his papers have been refused because he did or pay K2million nomination fee. He also didn’t get enough signatures for his nomination.

In his speech after rejecting the nomination papers, MEC chairperson Jane Ansah at Comesa Hall in Blantyre,  she said Ras Chikomeni has been given two days to act on the anomalies and present the papers again.

“Having scrutinised your papaers, we find that there are two conditions that have not been fulfilled. You  have not made the K2 million [nomination fee] payment,” said Ansah.

Ansah, a judge at the Supreme Court of Appeal,  cited Section 45 subsection  1 of the Elections Acts said the candidate should deposit the nomination fees  with the returning officer at the time of presenting the papers.

“At the time you submitted your papers you have not paid your nomination fees,” she said.

His supporters chanted  tisonkhe! tisonkhe! (Let us contribute).

MEC chairperson also said “there are not enough nominators for 19 districts” as supporters shouted  tisaine! (let us sign).

Ansah explained that there should be a  minimum of 10 signatures in each districts of the country.

“For that reason, we cannot accept your papers. Should you meet these conditions in the next two days we will receive them,” Ansah said.

In his remarks, Chief Elections Officer, Sam Alfandika said: “We are returning the nomination papers so that we give him time to fulfil the requirements.”

Speaking live on Times TV, Chikomeni said: “It’s sad that we are buying democracy.”

Commenting on his running mate, his mother Niness Kayengo, Chikomeni said he picked her because she has been his adviser all his life said he wanted to achieve a balance  in bringing women leadership and experience, saying she is a retired public servant “but not tired.”

The winning presidential candidate and running mate eventually become the country’s President and Vice-President, respectively.

Fact File:

The Mzuzu-based farmer and musician was born on October 1 1977  to Overton Hoho Chirwa and Nines Kayengi.

He was named Chikomeni by his grandfather who died days before he was born. His family believed that he was bewitched.

His mother is from Katowo Village Traditional Authority (T/A) Mwenemisuku in Chitipa while his father comes from Ehesheni Village T/A Chikuola Jere in mzimba.

Both parents were civil servants as his mother was a primary school teacher while  his father was an agriculture officer.

He also believes that one plant of Industrial Hemp can emply 10 million people and he will legalise cultivation of the hemp.

Chikomeni revealed that he once owned six hectares of industrial hemp, but police arrested him for growing crop.