UDF plans to elect three vice chairpersons at October 30 convention
In what seems to be a copycat move from the Malawi’s ruling People Party (PP) which recently elected three vice presidents at its convention, the opposition United Democratic Front (UDF) is also planning to elect three vice chairpersons during its national conference slated for October 30 in Blantyre.
Chairperson of the organizing committee for the conference Lillian Patel told reporters in Blantyre on Wednesday that the idea has come about after taking into account that the UDF is national party.
“What will happen is that the vice chairman will be elected from each of the country’s three political regions; north, central and south,” she said adding that all the 50 positions are however up for grab.
Patel said the party has agreed that the one to be elected as the party’s chairperson will automatically be the party’s presidential candidate for the 2014 presidential elections.
Meanwhile, three aspirating candidate have been confirmed gearing for the party’s chairmanship. They are Moses Dossi, George Nga Ntafu and Atupele Muluzi, son of former chairman of the party Bakili Muluzi.
In his contribution at the press briefing the party’s deputy spokesperson Ken Ndanga all preparations for the conference are at an advanced stage and all is set for the party’s indaba.
“We have received names of the delegates from all the political regions and districts. We are expecting 2,320 delegates. These are according to the constitution; all members of the National Executive Committee, all Members of Parliament, all members of regional committee, 15 members from each political district and all constituency governors,” said Ndanga.
Ndanga said the party has invited over 200 guests including friends of the party from South Africa, Mozambique, Zambia, Tanzania, USA and the United Kingdom.
“We will also have leaders of NGO’s, faith groups, diplomats and individuals that have been friends with the party for a very long time.”
According to Ndanga the national executive has appointed the electoral commission to handle the elections which he said comprises “very credible members from the academia and the NGOs that have experience in handling the elections.”
In order to give people a chance, Ndanga said the party’s National Executive Committee, agreed to extend the period of submitting nomination forms up to Friday, October 26. This will also give the electoral commission enough time to prepare for the elections.
“So far we have received 90 nomination forms for 50 positions available. We are expecting more nominations at least before the closing date on Friday” said Ndanga.
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