Six People’s Party members defy JB orders

Six members of the former ruling People’s Party (PP), among them the party’s General Secretary Paul Maulidi, will participate in the October 7 by-elections, defying the party’s order not to contest on PP ticket.

Maulidi is contesting for Blantyre North parliamentary seat while the other five will contest in Local Government by-elections.

PP, founded by former President Joyce Banda, advised its top officials and members not to participate in the by-elections but the six members defied the order and went ahead to present their nomination papers to the Commission.

The party further took trouble to coerce Maulidi to reserve his decision, but the party’s effort proved futile as he stood to his guns.

PP vice President Brown James Mpinganjira said they no longer trust the electoral body, hence the decision to shun the by-elections.

Candidates that have been found eligible for the Parliamentary by -elections by the Commission are; Blantyre North Constituency Wyson Dominic Makungwa (Independent), Willy Chikaiko Maulana (Malawi Congress Party), Paul Jonas Maulidi (PP), Aubrey Mokwacha (Independent), Caleb Charles Ng’ombo (United Democratic Front) DF and Francis Lucky Phiso (DPP).

While Thyolo East Constituency has the following contestants; January Chewasi Bwanali (Independent), Florence Bertha Chisanga (MCP), Elisha Joel Milanzi (Independent) and Gerson Timothy Solomon (DPP ).

“These candidates are free to continue with the campaign,” said Willie Kalonga, Chief Elections Officer.

Kalonga advised all candidates and stakeholders to stick to the code of conduct they signed for and also to observe all electoral laws and regulations.

Meanwhile, Maulidi has sued the party’s founder for standing in his way to contest in the forthcoming by-elections.

“I want the courts guidance as to whether a party can deter a person from contesting in an election, I tried to reason with JB but she maintained her stance not to allow me stand in the elections.

“I won the primaries and I have since spent K72 million campaigning for the elections. It is not because of the money but it is my constitution right to contest,” he said.