Candidate defies party on independent candidacy

Mzuzu City Mayor William Mkandawire has maintained that he will contest as an independent candidate after losing to Bennex Mwamulima in the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) primary elections.

Mkandawire’s stance is contrary to the party’s directive that losing candidates in primary elections should not contest as independents, but support winners.

MCP publicity secretary the Reverend Maurice Munthali has since cautioned Mkandawire and other aspirants who may also want to contest as independent candidates after losing primaries.

“We do not bar people from making their own decision, but by signing the code of conduct it means someone is in agreement with what the party demands them to fulfill. If they leave it means they are not genuine members,” he said.

But speaking in an interview yesterday, Mkandawire said his followers have asked him not to leave the party and instead contest the parliamentary seat as an independent.

MCP primaries have seen some heavyweights, including Joseph Njovuyalema in Lilongwe Mapuyu South and Watson Makala-Ngozo in Lilongwe Mpenu losing.