By Taonga Sabola & Mercy Matonga:
Former president Joyce Banda, who leads an alliance of her People’s Party, Freedom Party and Malawi Forum for Unity and Development, Thursday presented her nomination papers to Malawi Electoral Commission (Mec), where she also unveiled former vice president Khumbo Kachale as her running mate.
Banda and Kachali served as president and vice president of Malawi from April 2012 to May 2014 following the death of then president Bingu wa Mutharika.
Speaking after submitting her nomination papers to Mec, Banda said that her alliance is ready to serve the nation.
“We are ready to serve the country. This election must be peaceful because that is what we stand for as an alliance,” she said.
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The former president stressed that violence has no place in their campaign or leadership philosophy.
“We have a vision that will lift Malawians from poverty to development. We are committed to serving Malawians with love, peace and dignity,” she said.
Independent candidate Adil Chilungo also presented his nomination papers, accompanied by his running mate, Mercy Mwalukubo.
However, Mec returned Nationalist Patriotic Party president Daniel Dube’s nomination papers due to issues with his paperwork.
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Dube had nominated retired Supreme Court of Appeal judge, Dunstan Mwaungulu, as his running mate.
Among the issues, Mec Chairperson Justice Annabel Mtalimanja explained that the statutory declaration form for the running mate was incomplete.
Furthermore, there was no copy of Dube’s national identity card or passport-size photograph attached, both of which are required under electoral guidelines.
“As a result of these omissions, Mec will return the nomination papers to the candidate and a new time will be allocated for him to rectify the defects and resubmit,” Mtalimanja said.
Mec has given Dube until July 30 to correct the issues.
In her address, Mtalimanja said anyone seeking to lead the country must be ready to serve Malawians selflessly.
“As Mec, we are ready to hold an election that is fair and peaceful,” she said.
The nomination marks an important step in the lead-up to the September elections, as political parties begin to outline their vision for the country’s future.
Meanwhile, Banda became the second leader to sign the pact with the youth, who are advocating for policies that improve the lives of young people in the country.
Speaking in Lilongwe yesterday after signing the agreement, the PP leader said she is interested in engaging the youth in productive work rather than using them to fight and commit crimes.
“All my life, I have been working tirelessly in civil society, advocating for the lives of women and youths, so I am fully committed to this,” Banda said.
She also expressed disappointment that leaders in the country have neglected the youth and the country’s development.
“It is disappointing that in Malawi, when you want to comment or share knowledge with leaders in power, they feel you want to take away their shine. But as a former president, I advise leaders from several countries,” Banda said.
On her part, ‘Youth Decided’ coordinator Mwandida Theu said young people are concerned with the lack of support for emerging actors, particularly those involved in civic governance.
Theu said PP’s alignment would not only affirm their vision for a more inclusive Malawi but also send a strong message that their leadership will be rooted in listening to and acting on the aspirations of Malawi’s youth.
The first to sign the pact was President Lazarus Chakwera, leader of governing Malawi Congress Party, who will also be the last to submit his nomination papers on July 30.
