PP warns aspirants against parallel structures

The ruling People’s Party (PP) has warned its members, especially aspiring members of Parliament (MPs), against forming structures other than those recognised by the party.

There has been tension in PP of late following expressions of interest from various members to contest as MPs in the forthcoming 2014 Tripartite Elections. Some of the members have been accused of forming parallel structures in various constituencies to work to their advantage.

Speaking in an interview yesterday, PP secretary general Paul Maulidi said the party was aware of various divisions and warned members against forming parallel structures.

He said no aspirant, regardless of the position they hold in the party, is mandated to form committees or areas. He said those creating areas or committees were wasting their time as the party will stick to the official structures.

Maulidi said the party was also in the process of verifying its official areas to ensure that the primaries are done in a professional and peaceful manner, adding that the party will favour no aspirant.

He said: “An MP does not own areas and he [or she] has no mandate to elect areas. MPs or aspirants who are creating new areas are wasting their time.”

Maulidi said the party was also aware that some people were being sent by other parties to bring confusion in the party. He said the party has since put measures to check such people.

The secretary general also said all aspirants who will not accept results of primaries and decide to stand as independents should declare their stand as independents now.

PP Northern Region provincial secretary Mary Mphasi said anyone who decides to stand as an independent candidate after the primaries is a hypocrite and does not have respect for PP leadership.