Presidential running mates debate tonight
Five presidential running mates in the May 21 2019 Tripartite Elections are this evening set to tussle in a debate organised by private broadcaster Zodiak Broadcasting Station (ZBS).
The debate is also expected to provide a platform for citizens to talk to their prospective leaders on issues affecting the nation as a way of promoting good governance.
A ZBS promotional advert indicates that the five running mates are Everton Chimulirenji (Democratic Progressive Party-DPP), Mohammad Sidik Mia (Malawi Congress Party-MCP), Jerry Jana (People’s Party-PP), Frank Mwenifumbo (United Democratic Front-UDF) and Michael Usi of UTM Party.
The debate is scheduled to take place at Bingu International Convention Centre in Lilongwe tonight and on March 14 at Chichiri International Conference Centre, widely known as Comesa Hall, in Blantyre.
In an interview on Tuesday, ZBS commercial affairs and public relations director Bridget Mkandawire said all five running mates had confirmed their participation in the debate set to start at 6.30pm.
She said the dress code is formal and that party colours will not be entertained.
In 2014, ZBS also hosted the first-ever running mates debate.
Meanwhile, Media Institute of Southern Africa (Misa) Malawi is also organising debates for selected presidential hopefuls on March 29 and April 5.
National Initiative for Civic Education (Nice) Trust, on the other hand, is organising debates for all parliamentary candidates and aspiring councillors from April to May 10 this year.
Last week, ZBS and Nation Publications Limited (NPL) n partnership with United Nations Development Programme also hosted debates on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) whose discussants were political party representatives. n
