Fischer Kondowe’s ambition to contest as Blantyre City South Constituency’s independent legislator are up in smoke as he does not meet the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) preconditions.
The Big Bullets captain did not register for the forthcoming May 20 Tripartite Elections; hence, he is ineligible to contest as an MP. MEC preconditions, among others, demand that an aspiring MP must hold a voter registration card.
“I went there [MEC] to collect my nomination forms and they asked for my card [voter registration], which I do not hold. I have never voted. I meet most of the other preconditions, including having an MSCE. Zonse ndili nazo mpaka certificate ya Standard Eight, osatinso ya multiple-choice. [I meet all qualifications, including Primary School Leaving Certificate, which I obtained through proper examinations and not multiple choice],” Kondowe explained on Wednesday.
The dreadlocked winger said he would chart his next course of action after consulting people in the constituency whose incumbent MP Moses Kunkuyu wants to relocate to Dedza South Constituency.
EC public relations director Sangwani Mwafulirwa yesterday said aspiring MPs must, among other prerequisites, be eligible voters.
“At the moment, registration period was closed and there are no plans to reopen. If Fischer did not register, then he is not eligible to contest as an MP,” said Mwafulirwa.
Kondowe declared he would combine his football career with politics after being asked to do so by people in the constituency.
“All the MPs we have been having have failed to develop the constituency. Since my childhood days, I have never seen meaningful progress. So, when people came and asked me to contest the seat, I did not hesitate,” he told The Nation recently.
