National News

MCP NEC on hold

Chakwera addressing his maiden political rally in Kasungu
Chakwera addressing his maiden political rally in Kasungu

Opposition Malawi Congress Party (MCP) president the Reverend Lazarus Chakwera has put the appointment of the national executive committee (NEC) members on hold following advice to scrutinise regional nominees forensically.

Although secretary general Chris Daza confirmed the delay, he was mum on the reasons that led to the cancellation of the decision to fill up the remaining NEC positions initially scheduled for the just-gone weekend.

On Wednesday last week, Daza said MCP was scheduled to announce the full NEC “by the end of this week”, but on Saturday, he said plans were on hold.

“NEC is on hold, we will advise when we are ready,” he said.

On Thursday, four of MCP’s six regional chairpersons confirmed to The Nation that they sent all their nominees to Chakwera, the last being a fortnight ago.

Due to inadequate time, the MCP convention mid-August 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 positions.

However, the Centre for Multiparty Democracy (CMD), an organisation promoting intra-party democracy in the country, thinks “it was unfortunate because this now leaves just one man to choose.”

“It’s unfortunate because resources are not always enough because it would have been good to elect all people at the convention so that people are answerable to the convention.

“It is a tricky situation because now one person has the mandate and can choose only those he needs,” said CMD executive director Kizito Tenthani.

Meanwhile, Daza said MCP primary elections were scheduled to start mid this month ending mid October across the country.

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