MCP, UTM in alliance talks
Malawi News investigations have established that Malawi Congress Party (MCP) and UTM are in talks for a potential political alliance in the event that the Constitutional Court orders a re-run in the elections petition case the court is hearing in Lilongwe.
However, in separate interviews yesterday, MCP secretary general Eisenhower Mkaka and UTM publicity secretary Joseph Chidanti Malunga refused to comment on the matter.
“I have no comment,” Mkaka said.
Chidanti Malunga said he is not aware of the matter.
“I believe if there is something, members of the public, including our supporters, will be notified,” he said.
However, according to our investigations, sources from both parties, who opted for anonymity, confirmed the development.
“I will confide in you that we have been talking and talks are at an advanced stage,” said the MCP source.
Another source who corroborated with the other source confirming to us that the talks are indeed there.
“Yes, there are those talks and they are at a very advanced stage,” the source said.
The Constitutional Court is hearing a case in which MCP leader Lazarus Chakwera and his counterpart Saulos Chilima are seeking nullification of May 21 Tripartite Elections results citing alleged irregularities.
Malawi Electoral Commission (Mec) declared President Peter Mutharika of Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) winner of the polls.
Mec announced that Mutharika got 1,940,709 votes, representing 38.57 percent of votes cast, while Chakwera got 1,781,740 votes, representing 35.41 percent.
Chilima came third after getting 1,018,369 votes, translating into 20.24 percent of votes counted.
Electoral laws say a fresh election can be announced upon an order of the High Court under subsection 3 of the Elections Act.
“Pursuant to an order of the High Court under subsection 3 (b) declaring that the member of the National Assembly or the President, as the case may be, was not duly elected, a fresh election for seat of the member of the National Assembly or to the office of the President, as the case may be shall be held in accordance with this Act,” reads part of the Act.
University of Livingstonia Political Analyst said political alliances are possible, more in this situation when the two parties have already joined forces in the ongoing elections case.
“They have already started working on the case together, so I think they have known each other’s strengths and weaknesses. This situation has brought them together to look at issues critically.
“I think where we are going, it shows that most of the parties that we have had in the country are going to regroup and form alliances. We have noticed that people have seen the importance of working together as a group and not individuals. So, working together is most welcome in my views,” he said.
Recently, MCP and UTM supporters were reported to have organised joint political rallies in all the country’s political regions to show solidarity.
The rallies, dubbed Moment of Greatness, are scheduled to take place at Masintha Ground in Lilongwe, Mzuzu Upper Stadium, St August Three (Mangochi District), Zomba Gymkhana Club and Njamba Freedom Park in Blantyre.
Ahead of the elections, there were possible electoral alliances with People’s Party (PP) first partnering with UTM, a partnership which barely lasted two days before PP eventually settled for MCP.
DPP was reported to have been in talks with United Democratic Front despite the two parties hitting a snag on the possible coalition.
