Pomp as Chakwera submits nomination papers
Jovial was the mood at Comesa Hall in Blantyre. Smiles and
Thousands of people, including Malawi Congress Party (MCP) members, the clergy and some civil society organisations gathered at Comesa Hall to witness Chakwera and his running mate Sidik Mia present the papers.
At around 8.20am, the ground outside Comesa Hall was full of people chanting songs in support of Chakwera’s candidacy.
Motorists on the stretch between Clock Tower in Blantyre to the Chichiri Trade Fair Grounds on the Masauko Chipembere Highway were delayed for over 30 minutes as the 46-car MCP motorcade blocked both lanes. The vehicles moved at snail’s pace with supporters dancing and singing.
Traditional dancers, locally known as Makanja, which was in the motorcade and MCP youths clad in party colours of red and green, spiced the parade to Comesa Hall with dancing skills.
Outside the hall, there was heavy police presence as well as private security personnel to ensure a peaceful event.
Boarding a brand new Ram Cummins Turbo double cabin with an improvised registration ‘Chakwera, Mia’ and decorated in party colours, the MCP presidential candidate and his running mate arrived at the Comesa Hall at exactly 8.55 am amid cheering from supporters.
The two spent about eight minutes cheering their party followers, including Gulewamkulu, before entering the hall that was filled to capacity.
After presenting the papers, MCP members marched to Limbe and Ndirande to show their presidential candidate and his running mate.
At 11.37am, exactly 15 minutes after MCP’s departure, Chisi arrived at Comesa Hall also to present his nomination papers.
Alighting from a Duster Renault, Chisi, accompanied by his little-known running mate Timothy Kamulete, was welcomed by a handful party members who also chanted songs in support of his candidature.
