Let the campaign begin
Football Association of Malawi (Fam) has ‘blown the whistle’ officially kick-starting campaign for its executive committee elections slated for December 12, 2015 in Salima District.
Fam general secretary, Sugzo Nyirenda, confirmed yesterday that the window opened on Saturday when the association’s Electoral Committee met at Chiwembe Technical Development Centre.
In a statement, Nyirenda highlighted how the association’s affiliates will nominate candidates vying for various positions, including the most sought presidency.
Affiliates, will on October 14, be informed about the AGM with the window for making nominations closing this November 13. The closure will be followed by the scrutiny of the eligibility of the aspirants.
Between November 15 and 21, the association’s elections Appeals Committee will “make decisions on any appeals received after the release of candidates to run for the positions in the executive committee.”
The final list of candidates will be released on November 21. In view of the campaign window opening, aspirants can freely talk to the media and soccer fans on their respective election agenda.
“It is more like giving the platform to all candidates that they can entice the voters. As Fam, we don’t want to take sides on the elections. Every candidate has a right to campaign. We don’t want football politics that will cause chaos. We will equip and advise the media to play a major role by not taking sides in reporting and they should allow every candidate to campaign,” Nyirenda said.
However, the Fam general secretary insisted that those who were campaigning before the window committed no offence as the window merely gives guidelines on what will happen between now and the elections.
Previously, Malawi National Council of Sports were the returning officers for Fam elections, but following amendments to the association’s constitution, the general assembly formed an electoral body headed by Dingiswayo Madise.
The presidency has generated interest in many aspirants such as John Gift Mwakhwawa, Wilkins Mijiga,Allie Mwachande, the incumbent Walter Nyamilandu, Owen Chomanika and Boniface Maganga.
However, the candidates have a task to earn nominations from the affiliates then pass eligibility test including that they must have served football for five consecutive years leading to the elections in an affiliate position.
Fam electoral committee head, Dingiswayo Madise, refused comment much, only saying “it’s an honour that we have been entrusted with this responsibility of elections. The people of Malawi should be assured that all will be fine.”
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