Atupele says 2014 elections game changer
United Democratic Front (UDF) presidential candidate Atupele Muluzi on Wednesday electrified the hype for theMay 20 elections when his party literally painted Blantyre City yellow as he presented nomination papers to the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC).
Atupele arrived at the Comesa Hall in a fleet of yellow Hummer vehicles mobbed by a sea of thousands of UDF supporters clad in the party’s yellow colour who virtually closed the Masauko Chipembere Highway stretch between the Polytechnic and Kamuzu Stadium Roundabout.
Atupele’s submission of the presidential nomination papers was followed by Aaron Davis Katsonga of Chipani cha Pfuko (CCP) whose supporters dressed in green T-shirts. Katsonga’s supporters, the smallest group so far, mobbed him as he made his way into the hall.
MEC chairperson Maxon Mbendera, who is a Malawi Supreme Court of Appeal judge, explained to the respective candidates that despite presenting them
with candidacy certificates, the commission shall proceed to scrutinise their papers and “we shall declare you duly nominated or otherwise seven days after the receipt of the last nomination papers.”
After the processes, Atupele said the May 20 elections signify a milestone for Malawi. He described the elections as a game changer.
“Malawians go to the polls with a lot of expectations. These elections are a game changer. Malawians should speak through the ballot,” said Atupele, attracting a chorus of whistling and ululating from his supporters.
“The United Democratic Front’s agenda for change is well aligned with what Malawians want. We are in a position to shape our position and this should be done now.”
Katsonga in an interview said it is a relief that his party submitted the nomination papers and looked forward to the elections.
Inside the hall, Katsonga expressed fears that there are plans to rig the elections. He reiterated his stand in an interview, saying: “We can’t take chances. Rigging does take place.”
Ironically, Katsonga’s brother, Mark Katsonga Phiri of People’s Progressive Movement (PPM) also presented his nomination papers on Tuesday. The duo’s father, the late Chester Katsonga, also had a political party, the Christian Liberation Party which contested and lost the country’s pre-independence general elections in 1961 to the Malawi Congress Party (MCP).
The official campaign for the May 20 election starts on March 21.
The guy and his udf party is masive.
This is the the only candidate who has a vision for Malawians.The rest are just a bunch of pensioners who are after their personal gains.Malawi,this your time to decide the best for your future and the future is in the youth.Atupele is the only person capable of doing that.As for DPP,remember two years ago MALAWI.I am afraid to remind you for you would cry.As for the present scene ,you judge yourself for you know it better.Once again,this the opportunity for us to change Malawi for the better.Bring Malawi into 21st Century and it is the youth that can do that because they have much to lose if they mislead the country.Good luck and choose wisely.
The yellow candidate has to wait for 20 years or more. The wounds caused by Tcheya’s poor leadership are still fresh.
I agree with you Nsinje. Maybe after the death of a cheya who is the father and founder of all these ripoff scandals! but Muluzi also can steal abale. eeiish!!!
Nsinje: mukunena zoona apa zedi! Ndicodzidwika kuti Atupele ndi mwana pakali pano. Sanakhwime! Kapena ayembekeze mtsogolo mjuno, ngati 2022! Kodi akuyesa kukhala pulezident ndi zachibwana eti?
Nanga ngati zili choncho bwanji osawauza anthu kuti avotere pakati pa Mr mark Katsonga or Dr. L. Chakwera chifukwa ndiamene tikuwaona kuti ali clean.
Atupele is the only politician who has championed the change the way things are ran in Malawi.Every politician now is shaking which is why they are choosing their running mates to align with Atupele’s change of agenda.As you know,all these parties were created out of frustration just to achieve their personal gains-PP,DPP,are from UDF.All these guys you see around came from UDF.UDF made it’s mistakes at the onset of democracy in Malawi and they have learnt from that.Now every politician is trying to think like Atupele and he has maintained THE AGENDA FOR CHANGE since it’s inception no matter what he went through.Consistency is one of qualities of a good visionary leader,and that is what Atupele possesses.