MCP convention starts on 9 August

The long-awaited Malawi Congress Party (MCP) convention is finally set for this weekend where the party is expected to reduce the number of presidential aspirants.

The pending reduction will be contrary to what the party’s national executive committee (NEC) earlier agreed that no aspirant should be removed instead, the convention should decide on the issue.

In an interview on Wednesday, MCP secretary general Chris Daza confirmed that all preparations for the national meeting have been concluded.

But he could neither confirm nor deny reports that some of the presidential hopefuls may not participate in the elections.

He said: “It is a fact that not all aspirants in all the positions will qualify to contest because certainly we have some people who have just come in but have not been active members of the party. Prior to the convention day, we will make an announcement as to who will be contesting. Even the final names of the presidential aspirants will be announced.”

Daza, who alongside vice-president MacDonald Lombola have been mandated to speak on behalf of the party until the convention is over, said apart from tight security during the meeting, the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) will oversee the elections to ensure a smooth process.

Soon after a NEC meeting agreed on the dates of August 9, 10 and 11, party president John Tembo disputed the dates after they were announced by spokesperson Jolly Kalelo, whom Tembo described as “childish” for disclosing the dates before NEC could conclude its meeting.

There are 12 presidential aspirants, including Tembo and Daza.

Lingson Belekanyama, a member of the organising committee of the convention who is also director of research, recently said both the party’s NEC and the aspirants themselves agreed that no presidential candidate should be taken off the list. Instead, they resolved, convention delegates should decide.