Nthanda Congress Party to contest in Malawi 2014 tripartite polls
Newly elected president for Nthanda Congress Party (NCP) Dr Chakhumbila Khaila says it is his party’s intention to contest in all positions during the May 2014 tripartite elections.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Nyasa Times after being elected NCP president during the party’s first ever convention held last Saturday, November 2, 2013 at Aonenji Lodge in Lilongwe, Khaila said it was the wish of his party to compete in all positions including the Presidency during the forth-coming general elections.
“Before the convention, the party only being led by an interim National Executive Committee (Nec) but now that we have elected leaders in all the key positions, we can start preparing for the elections.
“Unless something comes up, our intention as a party is to compete in all positions and we are calling upon all our party members to intensify party activities at both levels so that we are ready for the elections- come May 2014,” said Khaila.
Khaila, who until the convention was party secretary general won the presidency after seeing off challenges from former party interim vice president Noah Mwaisemba, Chimwemwe Dziko and Liverson Thole.
There were no elections for vice president and former interim treasurer general Amos Makalichi Chinkhadze from Dowa was elected secretary general after beating former interim president Bertha Chidothe and Naomie Gwaza.
Jennifer Mdumuka from Chitipa was elected vice secretary general with Mwaisemba from Phalombe taking over the position of treasurer general. The position of campaign director went to Gwaza, who will be deputized by Macloud Nkhoma.
Other posts went as follows: publicity secretary Delex Mafuta, vice publicity secretary James Chidza, organizing secretary Zelesi Kambwandira, deputy organizing secretary Horace Mkanda, director of elections Steven Punzani, deputy director of elections Eliya Kabande, director of research James Chinjala, deputy director of research Thole, women’s director Dorophy Kasinja, deputy women’s director Rose Katunga, youth director Collins Chibondo, deputy youth director Maureen Zuze and director of political affairs Bertha Chidothe.
The elections were conducted by officers from Malawi Electroral Commission (Mec), who declared the polls free and fair.
Recently , Nthanda was hit by defections of top Nec members including former interim president David Kambauwa to opposition Malawi Congress Party but the remaining interin Nec members filled up the vacant positions before calling for the convention.
