UTM fields more parliamentary candidates than MCP: DPP tops list, UDF ahead of PP

Statistics of  an approved list of parliamentary candidates released by the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) shows  that seven months old UTM Party will feature 191 candidates against 189 of the strategically challenged Malawi Congress Party (MCP), the country’s  perrenial opposition party.

UTM frontline troops
The information puts the ruling  DPP has fielded 192 candidates across the country seconded by UTM’s 191 – two short of the required  193 while MCP has left four constituencies vacant.
DPP has no candidate in Mangochi Lutende Constituency, apparently Nyasa Times understands the candidate was disqualified by MEC.
MCP has not fielded candidates in Mzimba South West, Thyolo South West, Mulanje North and Chikwawa North.
The development has raised a fierce debate on social media if MCP is strategic at all with many wondering why the oldest opposition party always fails to attract candidates nationwide.
But MCP publicity secretary Maurice Munthali said the party has tangible reasons for not fielding candidates in those four constituencies.
“In one constituency, our Member of Parliament withdrew to pave way for Honourable Khumbo Kachali. In Mulanje North, the nomination fee was paid late but we are trying to sort it out with Mec.

“And in the other two constituencies, the people withdrew on personal grounds, so we could not force them to contest on MCP ticket,” he said in quotes reported by Malawi News.

On the other hand, the 191  candidate to be fielded by UTM its maiden election has demonstrated the organisational and leadership finesse that Vice President Saulos Chilima who is also UTM President possesses to hit such a feat in just seven months.

UTM has not fielded candidates in Mangochi Lutende Constituency and Mchinji North-East Constituency.

“This guy [Chilima] is something else. Who can build a party, get it registered, encroach every part of Malawi, hold convention then primaries in all constituencies minus four only in such a short time. Whatever happens but this ability to work is what this country needs,” writes Yotam on his Facebook page.

United Democratic Front (UDF) led by its presidential candidate Atupele Muluzi and running mate Frank Mwenifumbo has fielded 124 candidates while Immediate former ruling People’s Party (PP) led by former presudent Joyce Banda has fielded 81 candidates.

UDF publicity secretary Ken Ndanga said the party is being strategic and that “works well with our plans”.

PP spokesperson Ackson Kalaile Banda said the party tried to field candidates in all constituencies but they faced problems.

The statistics show that DPP has achieved a 26 percent women representation, UTM has 22 percent; MCP has 15 percent while UDF has 16 percent.

Out of 1 333 candidates 501 will compete on an independent ticket in the forthcoming elections.

Alliance for Democracy has fielded nine candidates, Mbakuwaku Movement for Development has fielded one candidate, Petra one candidate  and Umodzi Party (UP) has fielded six candidates.

 

Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV :

Sharing is caring!

Follow us in Twitter
58 Comments
newest
oldest most voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Mr what what
Mr what what
5 years ago

The article doesn’t have a name of the writer

Ndata Albino Auction Floor

Having gone through the list of utm candidates, you will see that most of them were picked to fill empty spaces or as cushions. Most of them are people with issues like theft. They have just been picked from the streets and some are rejects from MCP primaries. It’s simple. Utm has or had the money to pay for them. It’s the same money they stole from the government government with dpp. Surely even udf will beat utm. Tsutsani. No victory for Kaliati, Manganya, Kalindo, Masangwi, Ngalande, Jesse Kabwila, Loveness Gondwe, Callista, Gerald Tasaykadala, Dama Henry Phoya, Cecilia James Mandambwe,… Read more »

Sikusinja
Sikusinja
5 years ago

2014 PP had candidates in 193 constituencies but ended up number 3. It’s not the number of candidates that matter but the quality. There is a reason we have 500 independent candidates and that’s because too many opportunists in our politics. After they win, will go join ruling party. Any intelligent person will see that it’s only Ku Lhomwe belt were MCP has no candidates only 3 and this is same area people blocked the road for Chakwera to go have a rally. These candidates were harassed to withdraw.

Professor Bamuka Ajai of Abuja

UTM most members ndi HIV++++,Drunkards, Mahule,Extroverts out 191 fielded on ten would win.

JJ Mbewe the Pathfinder
JJ Mbewe the Pathfinder
5 years ago

kkkkkkkkk koma iwe

Bolero
Bolero
5 years ago

You are only confessing your weakness. Wake up and be mature….

ANALYSTS WITHOUT BORDERS
ANALYSTS WITHOUT BORDERS
5 years ago

UTM keep making noise …but be prepared of post electoral teams ..
MCP is winning these elections

Favour of Yahweh
5 years ago

People will vote for a party that has manifestothat is clear, not day dreaming manifestation. It is not about numbers. Utm can have all those but what can they point as their contribution to the people. People are not interested to those who show up at the villages, because it is election. You don’t have a house in your villages and you say you can represent the people? They opened up their eyes, at the end of this election, expect Malawi wood dramas, people will go mad.

Fraser Nyakamela
Fraser Nyakamela
5 years ago

Mwinatu article iyi sitidawerenge enafe. Munthali wa mcp akutitu ma candidates ena anapanga pull out meaning kuyithawa game. Kkkkk koma chisankho simasewera. Kwacha kwacha lero???????

Truth Be Told
Truth Be Told
5 years ago

One MCP candidate paved way for Khumbo Kachali as part of the electoral alliance. One candidate, Hassan Goba of Chikwawa was involved in a tragic car accident and there was only one day remaining to replace him. One MCP candidate paid slightly late the nomination fees because of communication breakdown I suppose. Only one MCP candidate withdrew on personal grounds, maybe his life was in danger from the DPP. So indeed MCP had representatives in all the 193 constituencies.

That said, Chakwera is the next president of Malawi.

Mmora Muroma
Mmora Muroma
5 years ago

Ignore technology at own peril. Today’s generation is all it. Instead of putting one’s house in order some are busy peeping into other people’s houses and ridiculing them, wasting. When things go haywire they cry wolf.
Check your strategy. Will you win by demonizing others and yet doing nothing for “your party?”
Search me.

Namaseko
Namaseko
5 years ago

Ahaaaaaaaa PP Zowona?………………. Koma mumaonjeza kuwawata inu!

Wimago
Wimago
5 years ago

Nyasatimes used to be attractive but this time around very bias unprofessional. Your UTM can not win the forth coming elections

Read previous post:
DPP’s election chief says Mutharika re-election certain: Ben Phiri backs Chimulirenji as credible choice of a running mate

The ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) elections director Ben Phiri has the party is pulling in one direction to ensure...

Close