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Chakwera gets NEC nominees

Chakwera  with his wife at the convention
Chakwera with his wife at the convention

Malawi Congress Party (MCP) president Lazarus Chakwera has now received names of nominees from the party’s six administrative regions, to be considered for national executive committee (NEC) positions.

Indications, according to MCP secretary general Chris Daza, point to a possibility of having the entire NEC released this week which ends on September 7.

Chakwera Wednesday confirmed getting the list.

He said in an interview: “I don’t have the totals now except to confirm that all regions have sent in their names.”

MCP sources said on Wednesday Chakwera and other elected NEC leaders are scheduled to meet tomorrow for the long-awaited verdict.

Due to inadequate time, the MCP convention in mid August this year resolved that regional committees should nominate names to be considered for possible inclusion into NEC.

The indaba also mandated Chakwera to appoint from the nominees, officials to fill up the remaining NEC positions.

Yesterday, Daza said he was yet to consult the party president on the list “because I was away and I just came in”, but confirmed regional committees have sent in their choices.

At his maiden rally in Kasungu on August 18, Chakwera only managed to introduce to the MCP followers a few elected NEC members, including first vice-president Richard Msowoya, second vice-president MacDonald Lombola, Daza, his deputy Chatonda Kaunda and treasurer general Tony Kandiero.

Chairpersons of four of MCP’s six regions also confirmed that they finally submitted their nominations although they could not mention them.

Central Region chairperson Daniel Mlomo confirmed sending his nominees, but refused to say how many and which positions they are vying for.

“I don’t think I will be in a position to say the number because when these names go there, some will be accepted, [others not] approved,” he reasoned.

But Dennis Nanthumba, MCP chairperson for Southern Region, said they have nominated seven members for various positions, including directorate of research, youth, political affairs, legal affairs and publicity secretary.

“It was not one person to choose. We had to consult and we also needed to consider giving chance to women with the issue of 50-50 campaign at hand,” Nanthumba said.

The Lakeshore Region has nominated six for consideration on positions such as legal adviser, directorate of political affairs and research, publicity secretary and one ordinary NEC member, according to chairperson Bauleni Wellington-Mkweza.

“We sent the names last week, only that at that time the president was going to Malaysia and the general secretary was in South Africa. That is why we didn’t get feedback,” he said.

Chairperson for North-South Region, Stowel Gondwe, also confirmed that his region has nominated three members to be considered for position of deputy director of youth and that of ordinary executive member.

“My region already sent the names now waiting for approvals,” Gondwe said.

The MCP convention advised Chakwera to consider regional balance when picking individuals to fill the remaining NEC posts.

Leaders of MCP’s North-North and Eastern regions could not be reached for comment on their submissions.

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One Comment

  1. Its about time Malawi Congress Party re-grouped…twenty years in the wilderness now demonstrating excellent democratic principles.Keep it up and stay the course.

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