The main opposition Malawi Congress Party (MCP) has asked aspiring parliamentarians and councillors to start campaigning, saying the party will not impose any candidate.
MCP publicity secretary Maurice Munthali said this will be the first time since the advent of multiparty in Malawi, for the party to field candidates in all 193 constituencies.
In a memo reference number mcp/prime/18/2 dated July 18, 2018, MCP administrative secretary Wikiford Sulamoyo said the party’s NEC meeting held on July 13-14 2018 resolved to field candidates in all 193 constituencies in the country.
Reads the memo in part: “Eligible candidates should be bona fide MCP members identified by area, constituency and district committees at the time of primaries and regional committees should, through district committees, ensure that MCP has aspirants in all constituencies and wards.”
The prospective candidates will pay a non-refundable nomination fee of K50 000 for male parliamentary aspirants, while their female counterparts will pay K40 000. Aspirants for the position of councillor, however, will be expected to pay K10 000.
Munthali said the non-imposition of candidates has been the party’s policy but in the past, it was not followed.
He said the memo was to remind regional chairpersons of the existence of the policy.
