EC Banks of Elections Review Report

By AEP/Richard Chirombo

The Electoral Commission (EC) has expressed hope the on-going Elections Review exercise would help it handle future polls better.

EC Chairperson, Anastasia Msosa, said in an interview the May19, 2009 Parliamentary and Presidential elections posed a big challenge for the electoral body, but the way it was "successfully" handled raised management prospects for future polls higher.

Msosa said she did not expect findings of the elections' review process to be "much different from what we have noted as some of the problems that marred the elections".

"Of course, we are looking forward to results of the Elections Review process because we stand to learn a lot from them. It was a very big challenge to run to May19 elections but we do not expect the findings to be far much different from what we have found already," said Msosa.

She said the review, which commenced in Lilongwe this week, would also help the EC in preparing for the Local Government elections slated for 2010.

"It is a timely intervention because we stand to benefit a lot, in terms of planning for the local government elections next year," said Msosa. 

Malawian Hail Speaker's Choice

By AEP/Richard Chirombo
Though the election of Henry Chimunthu Banda as Malawi's new Speaker
of Parliament was a foregone conclusion, after his election by a
Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) caucus held two weeks ago, Malawi's
leading newspapers have hailed his elevation to the position.
Both The Nation and The Daily Times, have hailed the rise of Chimunthu
Banda from oblivion a decade ago, to become Malawi's 10th Speaker of
Parliament.
They have, however, asked him to consider opposition views. The Nation
argues in its editorial that, while opposition Members of Parliament
were few in numbers, they were not short of ideas.
Political observers, speaking in The Daily Times, have hailed
Chimunthu's election. They hail him as a sober man who braved the heat
when being in Parliament meant brushing shoulders with High Blood
Pressure during the last parliament.
That Parliament was criticized left and right by civil society
organizations. It made Budget Sessions difficult, and rejected some
important bills such as the Malawi/Mozambique Interconnection Bill
aimed at fixing the country's misfiring energy sources.
However, Chimunthu Banda how inherits a House sobered up by the just
ended May19 elections- where some heavyweights were sent packing and
new faces ushered in. The only worry by observers is his DPP ground,
as party Secretary General.
Chimunthu Banda has not hinted on whether he plans to resign from that
position, though the statutes say a Speaker should be impartial and
not play to party guidance or direction.
The most recent Speaker of the Malawi National Assembly, Louis
Chimango, maintained his position of Director of Legal Affairs in
Malawi Congress Party to the end.
People now argue the influence of the two positions could be
different, and that resignation by Chimunthu Banda could just do it
for the better- at least for the image of the Office of the Speaker of
Parliament.

Parties ready for meet

Malawi's largest political parties in Parliament have said they were ready for the inaugural meeting slated for June 2.

The parties also said they looked forward to an improved working relationships between ruling and opposition legislators.

The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), Malawi Congress Party (MCP) and United Democratic Front (UDF) are the most influential political parties in Parliament. DPP has, so far, including independent candidates who have jumped ship, 139 Members of Parliament (MPs), MCP 26 and 16 for UDF.

This means president Bingu wa Mutharika's DPP has a working majority, one it may use to bring about various changes.

DPP Spokesperson, Hetherwick Ntaba, said the party was just looking forward to the meet, now that Mutharika has appointed his line ministers and the party already voted for names to fill the influential position of Speaker and his deputies. The party has also nominated Leader of the House in the name of Goodall Gondwe, Chief Whip and House Committee chairpersons.

"We are ready for everything," said Ntaba.

Leader of the UDF in Parliament, Ibrahim Matola, said party MPs were happy that the meeting was finnally here, on June 22, and his party legislators looked forward to a cordial working relationship with the ruling DPP.

"Yes, we are ready. We would wish to bring about constructive changes in our conduct, and hope to do this by building a good working relationship with those on the ruling side. Being in opposition does not mean being enemies of development initiatives. In fact, it is our role as the opposition to complement government in it's development initiatives," said Matola.

His sentiments were echoed by MCP's Director of Research, Lington Belekanyama, who said the party would hold a caucus to elect Parliamentary office bearers after which, he said, the party would be fully ready for everything.

"But we are happy that MPs are meeting, and look forward to fruitful deliberations," said Belekanyama.

AEP/Richard Chirombo

Defiant DPP MPs Follow Mutharika

AEP/Richard Chirombo

Members of Parliament who contested on Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) ticket and lost, and have resorted to the courts to find solutions to their electoral problems despite president Bingu wa Mutharika's appeal that they abandon such action, are still following the president.

This has been evident in all of Mutharika's 'Thank you Tours" and other national engagements.

These include Rashid Gaffar, losing MP for Blantyre-Kabula and Gift Mwamondwe, who lost during party primaries held for Blantyre City Central constituency. Elections in the later got postponed after the death of one of the contestants- National Rainbow Coalition's (NARC) aspirant Madalitso Mbewe.

NARC has, however, surprised political observers and voters by announcing it will not take part in the elections.

Party president Loveness Gondwe, says the party has a policy that encourages it to participate in elections it has high hopes of carrying the day in.

She does not believe Blantyre Central has any such possibilities.

"We will not contest just for the sake of contesting. We calculate our winning chances. We announce that our party will not be part of the Blantyre City Central elections," said Gondwe in an interview.

The election of a parliamentary representative will take place on July 31 this year.

One of the defeated MPs, Rashid Gaffar, said in an interview at the Trade Fair Grounds in Blantyre- where Mutharika opened Malawi's 21^st International Trade Fair, he would continue to follow the party.

"Once DPP, always DPP. I shall continue to remain loyal to the party and its ideals," he said.

His sentiments were echoed by Mwamondwe. He said his love for Mutharika and the party was so great that he would never forsake it.

Mwamondwe is one of the people contesting in the Blantyre Central polls on an independent ticket despite DPP featuring its own candidate.

Chilumpha still in dark

AEP/ Richard Chirombo With just days to go before Parliament's inaugural meeting on June 22, former Vice President Cassim Chilumpha is yet to know his position as regards Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) membership. Chilumpha, who won a Parliamentary sit in Malawi's central region district of Nkhotakota on an independent ticket, announced after being sworn in as MP he would join the DPP. The party has, however, put its foot down, saying Chilumpha needed to write a letter expressing interest to join the party. This has never happened in Malawi's political party history and raises questions over DPP's objective. Almost all political parties in Malawi have no membership records, a development that leaves party membership open. This has often posed challenges in dealing with violent party elements, as parties easily disassociate themselves with marauding supporters. However, things seem to have changed in the DPP, as Second Deputy party president, Khumbo Kachali, announced recently. Kachali said Chilumpha needed to apply for party membership to DPP's politburo as wait for a response. But Chilumpha has argued that Kachali only made the sentiments in the media without writing him on the new development. He says that, to date, he has not even received such communication. This has left observers wondering as to when such communication would reach Chilumpha, as Parliament meets on June 22. The former Veep said, however, he would never give us, adding DPP had shown itself to be a national party from the massive votes it amassed in the May 19 elections.

DPP MPs in Constituency Cerebrations

By Richard Chirombo

Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) MPs have taken a cue from President Bingu wa Mutharika's 'Thank you Tours' and are now organizing own victory cerebrations at constituency level.

Leading the fray is Mutharika's brother, Peter, who has made it to parliament at his first attempt. He had a full-course meal party for chiefs and party supporters in Thyolo late last week.

In Zomba, Kasungu , Karonga and Mzimba; it has been the same.

However, one of the party's new catches, Billy Kaunda who won on an independent ticket in Mzimba but has since joined the DPP, has suspended his cerebration parties. Kaunda says he has received death threats from people, he alleges, whom lost to him in the May19 Parliamentary elections.

DPP spokesperson, Hetherwick Ntaba, has described the constituency cerebrations over food as normal.

He says it is "Malawian" to go back to people and express appreciation.

"We are very happy, as a party, that, for the first time in our history, people have voted for us overwhelmingly. We are so much thankful to the people of Malawi and hence the 'thank you' cerebrations," said Ntaba.

Some of the DPP MPs whose wins are being contested in the courts (by

 Losing contestants) have not lagged behind- an indication of the confidence they have in the votes that took them to Parliament.

            

Bingu Leaves Parliamentary Position Aspirants Out

AEP/Richard Chirombo

President Bingu wa Mutharika has left Democratic Progressive Party nominees for Parliamentary positions out of his cabinet announced Thursday.

Analysts have described the development as an indication of the president's faith in his newly-attained majority status in parliament. This contradicts trends in the past five years of his administration when DPP nominees would retain their positions till the last hour. It was not uncommon to have the opposition dominated parliament reject Mutharika's appointments.

But the DPP can now manage to nominate people for various positions in government as consider them as good as endorsed.

"The president knows that he has a majority in Parliament and can do as he so pleases. That is why he has left out (of cabinet) people nominated by the party for positions of Speaker of Parliament, deputies, and other positions," said Rafiq Hajat, Executive Director for the Institute for Policy Interaction.

ADPP caucus held recently proposed party Secretary General, Henry Chimunthu Banda for the position of Speaker, as well as his two deputies. Chimunthu Banda has never been left out of cabinet for the past five years, but misses out of Mutharika's new cabinet.

Mutharika has also appointed an Inspector General (IG) of Police who he has already started referring to as IG, and not Acting IG.

Hajat said, as Mutharika's confidence grows, so will his zeal for development. But others fear he might abuse his powers- assertions clashed by DPP Spokesperson Hetherwick Ntaba.

While Mutharika has left Chimunthu Banda, and other proposed names for Parliamentary positions, pressure is now growing for Chimunthu Banda to relinquish his DPP GS role.

Analysts say this will help improve the impartiality of the Speakers' office- which calls for impartiality and non-accountability to sponsoring parties.

 

UDF News Staff Rush to Labour Office

AEP/Richard Chirombo
It never rains but pours for the United Democratic Front (UDF).
Straight from a disastrous performance in the May 19 parliamentary and presidential elections, the party now has to face up to another depressing reality: former UDF News staff have taken the party to the labour office over unsettled dues.
UDF News is the party's official publication but has, however, been missing on the country's streets since 2005- when president Bingu wa Mutharika dumped the party to form the Democratic Progressive Party.
This forced the party to deploy some staff members to the (party) secretariat.
One of the affected staff revealed that they have gone to Blantyre Labour Office where, among other things, they are asking government to help them recover their benefits, which date as far back as 1999 for some of them.
The action by former UDF staff members comes fast on the heels of reports that the party could not benefit from parliamentary financial subvention, though party lawyer Fahad Assan has argued otherwise.
UDF officials asked for more time when contacted, saying the paper did not fall directly under the party's National Executive Committee as it was sometimes bankrolled by party sympathizers and chairperson, former President Bakili Muluzi.
Muluzi has hinted he wanted to retire from active politics, a decision said to have influenced the decision to fire staff members as Muluzi has been the party's sole financier.
The party now faces financial uncertainty, prompting political commentators to comment that its fast diminishing stout was cause for worry as it would mean a key player in democracy approaching collapse.

Independents left out of parliamentary positions

AEP/Richard Chirombo

The period after the May 19 parliamentary and presidential elections has been a tedious one for many, as the winning Democrtic Progressive Party (DPP) has been busy addressing 'Thank you' tours throughout the country.

The United Democratic Front (UDF) has been regretting its decision to go into political partnership with the Malawi Congress Party of JohnTembo, to the extent that UDF spokesperson Rob Jamieson has publicily attributed the loss to differences in ideology with its alliance partner.

The UDF is liberal while the MCP is conservative, said Jamieson. So, the two parties could not work together.

The MCP? Busy, busy, busy- internal party bickering. There were fireworks after the elections, as fired party publicist Ishmael Chafukira saw disaster in the elections' results and openly called for party president, Tembo's resignation. A hot battle ensued, one that has seen Chafukira being booted out of the party.

Tembo has since called Chafukira a "mere observer" of MCP affairs as he was no longer party to it while Chafukira has retorted: I did not apply to be a member of the MCP; so, Tembo, or the party, can not fire me.

A pressure group has since been established, to clear the bushes for Tembo's last political trip back home- in Dedza South where he is MP.

He still stands on his feet, though, above high mountains, saying he did not lose the presidential polls. Hence he has gone to court.

The political pot has been real hot, but only on part of political parties.

Independents? No. The only noise they have made is that of denouncing their independence status to join either DPP or MCP. Only four have joined the opposition while the rest have opted for the ruling accolade.

Even former Vice President, Cassim Chilumpha, has joined the fray. He contested in Nkhotakota as an independent, now he says he will join DPP. DPP has, however, rebuffed him, saying he should write a letter expressing his interest.

Chilumpha questions: As if applying for the post of Chief Executive Officer? He is battled.

Other than that, the independents have been quiet. In the last parliament, at a time similar to this one, the ten independent crop of MPs was making noise. Even challenging for parliamentary positions.

Speaker. Deputy Speaker, Second Deputy Speaker. And more. They got some, like that of second deputy speaker for Chingola.

Others argue that it was because he (Chingola) had shown political colours of yellow- the colour for UDF. But the independents fought, that is it.

Today, some three weeks after the polls, no independent is challenging for positions. The likes of Jolly Kalero, Felix Njawala have kept quiet.

Political commentator Rafiq Hajat feels that the independents should make political parties toil for their parliamentary positions. That will make the independents' voice audible.

"They should, at least, fight for something. They, too, represent people (constituents)," he said.

That is unlikely to happen. It should have happened a long time ago, if anything.

But Njawala, one of the independents, says people will be surprised because they have been working on the sidelines.

The only problem, he says, is that the independents lack one voice.

Others are for government. Others for the opposition.

Nobody is really independent.

It remains to be seen, however, what June 22 may bring.

From all corners of Malawi, MPs converge at parliament building for national business. So far, no independent MP has challenged for anything, except, perhaps, development.

Any room for independents?   

Muluzi reclaims public role

AEP/Richard Chirombo

Former president, Bakili Muluzi, who teamed up with Malawi Congress MCP (MCP) president John Tembo to unseat President Bingu wa Mutharika during the May19 presidential elections may quickly be recovering from the political shuttering shock of that defeat as he has now started making public statements.

This contradicts the situation for former alliance partner Tembo. With the voices for his resignation growing louder by the day, and political bickering within his own party about his leadership style unravels, he hardly has time for public statements.

Tembo has not spoken in public about any policy issue since his disastrous performance in the race to State House. Not Muluzi.

The former president said today he would not rest until government sets aside June 14, the day Malawi attained multiparty democracy from the one party regime of MCP in 1994, as a special day.

Muluzi says June 14 is such a momentous and memorable day that not celebrating it was tantamount to "spitting" on the people who fought for multiparty democracy in Malawi.

"Some of them even died. So, I am asking government to set aside June 14 for these people; we need to be remembering them as a nation because of the sacrifices they made," said Muluzi, making his inaugural post-defeat public statement.

He last spoke before announcement of the May 19 elections results, in which, among other things, he congratulated Mutharika.

Government is yet to respond to the request.

No latest results on EC website

By Richard Chirombo

People have complained over the lack of latest information on the Electoral Commission's (EC) website.

Most of the people interviewed- aspiring members of parliament who did not make it during the May 19 elections, and political parties looking for official percentages of the national vote they amassed-  have expressed disappointment of the development.

They say the EC should not behave as if the process was over, because there were things still to be done, including aggregating of votes to come up with percentages.

United Democratic Front lawyer, Fahad Assan, said the party was looking for EC's published aggregate results to confirm its assertion it was entitled to parliamentary funding since it attained 10 per cent of the votes.

Other people say the party can not because it has not attained 10 per cent of seats in parliament.

Assan said it was, thus, only the EC that could provide the final solution by providing the percentages of the national vote because, the way he knew it, it was the national vote, and not percentage of seats in parliament, that mattered.

His sentiments were echoed by Mathews Zimtambira Gama, who said he had been surfing the internet looking for latest results to no avail.

"These people are not serious. We need latest up dates on the elections, especially pertaining to the disputed votes and national aggregates. We want to know how much (percentage) political parties got," said Zimtambira Gama.

 

 

Bingu to soon declare his Assets

President Bingu wa Mutharika has said he will soon declare his assets as a requirement for Politicians when taking office. 

Speaking during a press conference held at state House in Lilongwe on Tuesday the President said he is ready to declare his assets again having done that already when he was entering his first term of office. 

According to the President, he is so far the only politician in Malawi who has ever made known his possessions after all the politicians declined to do so. 

At the beginning of office the president said he had about 150 million kwacha wealth of assets at the onset of his first term beginning 2004. 

Mutharika said he had a massed his fortune from the gratuities which he got from Organisations such as Comesa, United nations , among others ,where he once worked. 

He was reacting to some allegations from people that he has so much fortune to his name among them the Ndata Farm in Thyolo which has drawn a lot of negative comments from the opposition. 

Some quarters have accused the president of using government resources in developing his estate. 

The President said he has been building Ndata farm from his personal accounts.  

"I retired from Comesa, United Nations where I got gratuity, where do you think I kept the money? I stored it in the bank. 

"I have been building Ndata Farm slowly with my own resources, Government did not spend anything on the farm" said the President.  

Mutharika pointed out that the 6.5 million Kwacha which he used to buy Ndata Farm is peanuts compared to his 150 million Kwacha which he had to his name at the time he became President. 

The President of course said people should expect an increase to his soon to be declared possessions considering that he has been getting allowances and salary as the head of state.

Mana

Chafukira vows to continue fighting for Tembo’s resignation

By AEP/Richard Chirombo

The reality of dismissal for former Malawi Congress Party (MCP) spokesperson, Ishmael Chafukira, seems to be sinking in now, replacing the aura of defiance and self denial.

The controversial MP has now started speaking in reverse gear.

Need an example?

"Though they say they have sacked me from the party, they must know that the battle is not over. It has just begun. I will continue to fight for (party president John) Tembo's resignation from top leadership: he has messed up the party," said Chafukira Friday.

Chafukira attracted the wrath of the party (he says it is the wrath of Tembo, and not the party) when he openly enthused in the media that Tembo was ripe for retirement.

This was in sharp contrast to his, hither to, good boy attitude. He almost always agreed with Tembo's sentiments during the first five years of Mutharika's administration, as the opposition United Democratic Front and MCP ganged up to frustrate government business in parliament.

The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) was then in minority, having been formed after the 2004 presidential and parliamentary elections. DPP presidential candidate, Bingu wa Mutharika, stood on UDF ticket during the 2004 presidential elections but later unceremoniously dumped the party, citing the party's efforts in attempting to what he called his zero-tolerance to corruption.

Now that the political tide has changed course and DPP is in majority in parliament, Chafukira. Too, saw the opportunity to wear off his 'good boy' politics and air our what he termed 'majority' concerns within the rank and file of the MCP.

He is now the sacrificial lamb.

"But I am not finished. I have just paved the way and things will real change. I don't regret expressing my views because, as party spokesperson, I was speaking on behalf of the party membership. People feel that, with the disastrous May results, Tembo would see sense in paving way for others. Not at all," said Chafukira.

But, in a related interview, Tembo refused to comment on Chafukira's sentiments.

Tembo said he was not used to commenting on party "outsiders".

"Ishmael Chafukira? Who is Ishmael Chafukira? We don't have such a name in the MCP Executive Committee," said Tembo.

The way he put it, Chafukira hardly exists.

 

Parliamentarians expected in cabinet

By Richard Chirombo/AEP 

President Bingu wa Mutharika told members of the media yesterday there would be surprises in his yet to be announced cabinet, but political observers have said that, at least, one thing will not come as a surprise: the appointment of sitting Members of Parliament.

Observers have, for the past 15 years of multiparty democracy in Malawi, noted that there was need to exclude sitting MPs from cabinet appointments, a development they say could help ministers operate effectively as they would not be tinted by political affiliation.

The call has, however, been taken heed of by Malawian presidents as they have always tended to pick from within parliament, forcing MPs to wear off their parliamentarian tag as they respond to line (ministry) questions from fellow legislators.

Rafiq Hajat, Executive Director for the think tank Institute for Policy Interaction, said it was certain Mutharika would choose ministers from among MPs.

A sentiment echoed by Kenwilliams Mhango, who said the real surprise would come if Mutharika chose from without parliament.

"Otherwise, the cabinet will bring no surprises when it comes to choosing from sitting MPs. We need to move away from this tendency," said Mhango.

Democratic Progressive Party's spokesperson, Hetherwick Ntaba, said,whatever happens,it is the prelogative of the president to choose cabinet ministers from "anywhere. Be it parliament or private sector or civil society organizations. It is his prelogative," said Ntaba.      

Tembo Unperturbed on Leader of Opposition Slot

Malawi Congress Party (MCP) president, John Tembo, who is largely expected to fill the position of Leader of Opposition in the new cabinet, has sneered at calls for him not to accept the position, reiterating that Parliamentary Standing Orders were his "guide and not people's sentiments".

There have been nascent calls for Tembo to reject the position, as he faces opposition from both within his party and political observers. He held a similar position before parliament got dissolved on March 20 earlier this year.

But Tembo, speaking in an interview, said he would follow what the standing orders said. This means he would more likely be the leader again.

"Have you heard me campaigning for the position of leader of the opposition? No. It is in the law; the Standing Orders of Parliament. Who am I to say no," said Tembo.

He quashed suggestions there were divisions in the MCP, saying the party was a united lot.

"We are one in the party; nothing like divisions. And we will be one in parliament," said Tembo, a member of parliament for Dedza South in the Central region.
AEP/By Richard Chirombo

DPP Wants Opposition to Fight Own Battle for Speaker

The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has not taken heed of opposition's plea for the position of, at least, one deputy speaker of parliament preferring to feature candidates in all crucial positions instead. The party has earmarked former Leader of the House, Henry Chimunthu Banda, for the position of speaker, seconded by former deputy speaker Jones Chingola and new comer Juliana Mphande, respectively. This, in essence, dismisses the opposition's request to, at least, have a position to call. United Democratic Front's (UDF) spokesperson, Rob Jamieson, appealed last week for the DPP to be considerate and allow the opposition a slot in any of the speakers' positions. The speaker, once elected in parliament by MPs, serves as the head of the legislature- one of the three branches of government. DPP has surprised many a political observer by pulling a surprise in the May19 parliamentary elections, with 114 MPs to boot. This is the largest number to be had by any political party in Malawi and opens a new chapter in Malawi's democracy as observers stand eager to learn what the next five years would be like. There are fears the DPP may abuse its numerical advantage and initiate policies that may be in the public's interest, sentiments dismissed by DPP spokesperson Hetherwick Ntaba. When asked as to why the party has nominated people for all positions, DPP Secretary General Henry Chimunthu Banda, said it would have made no sense had the party left out the other two positions of First Deputy and Second Deputy Speaker, respectively, because there is no formal agreement between the party and the opposition at the moment. "That is why our party caucus chose people we felt could represent us well. Let the opposition parties fight their own battles as well, by earmarking people for the positions. It is parliament that will decide, in the end, so there is no need to worry at all," said Chimunthu Banda. During the most recent parliament, which was dissolved on March 20, 2009,, the opposition never gave the minority DPP government a chance to the top three positions, a development observers say the DPP could have emulated.

AEP/Richard Chirombo

Malasa consecration

President Bingu wa Mutharika on Sunday called on all Malawians to care and love one another for peace in the country to continue prevailing.  

The president said this at SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral Ground in Mangochi at the consecration of the Very Reverend Brighton Vitta Malasa  as Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of the Upper Shire.  

"Let us extend our love and care to our friends and even our enemies. We should love and care for the elderly, the disabled and all those who have fallen from the grace of God," he said. 

Dr. Mutharika said God loves Malawi saying he provides the country with natural resources like rains and therefore urged Christians to live  exemplary lives through the extension of God's love as a way of promoting togetherness.  

The President also thanked all denominations in the country for their peaceful co-existence as demonstrated by the dignitaries present at the consecration.  

"Today I have witnessed that we have people from different churches celebrating this mass. This has touched me and it is a clear indication that Christians in Malawi are united. As the church, you all have one duty and that is to serve the Lord and look after His flock," he said. 

The President again thanked the clergy in the country for their prayers of peace towards the general elections that took place on 19 May this year .  

"Your prayers helped in because peace prevailed after the elections," he said.  

Mutharika then congratulated the Bishop Malasa saying that God should guide him in his work in serving the church and helping government.  

Apart from presenting an upright fridge as a gift to the new bishop, the president also pledged to give the bishop and his diocese a car and money amounting to MK 2 million.  

Speaking earlier, Dean of the Province of Central Africa the Right Rev. Albert Chama asked the new bishop to look after all the people in the diocese irrespective of their social and economic status.  

Rev. Chama, who led the consecration ceremony, also thanked President Bingu wa Mutharika for gracing the occasion.  

Bishop Malasa becomes the second bishop of the Upper Shire which became a diocese after receiving autonomy from the Diocese of Southern Malawi in 1998.  

He succeeds Archbishop Bernard Amos Malango who retired in December 2007.  

The diocese of the upper Shire of the Anglican has 24 parishes and covers the political districts of the Eastern Region and parts of Mwanza and Phalombe.  

Mana

Malawian newspapers: focus on independents, John Tembo, MPs swearing in

Malawian newspapers have this week been rife with reports on independent candidates, failed joint United Democratic Front (UDF) and Malawi Congress Party (MCP) presidential candidate John Tembo and the swearing in of the country's newly elected Members of Parliament (MPs).

The focus on Tembo emanated from his recent declarations he did not accept Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP) presidential candidate's win in the May 19 presidential elections. The Electoral Commission declared Bingu wa Mutharika winner of the polls but Tembo has refused to bulge over his allegations the elections had many irregularities and, thus, he can not accept the results until the courts determine on the matter.

Journalists have been interested to see whether Tembo would accept to be sworn in, and thus, subsequently, concede defeat indirectly in so doing. The UDF/MCP candidate finally took oath of office and allegiance on Tuesday, but maintained that did not translate into a concession of defeat as he was still convinced he won.

"This (swearing in) does not, in any way, mean I have conceded defeat. Which defeat?" queried Tembo.

He was booed by perceived DPP supporters as he took his oath of office; equally cheered on by a handful of MCP sympathizers who included his wife Ruth.

As the focus on the swearing in of MPs, which was high on newspaper pages earlier in the week, waned, attention turned to the next moves of independent MPs. Most of them failed in party primaries and decided to stand on their own but were using party symbols and slogans.

It was interesting to note that some of the independents who were, hither to, behind MCP candidate Tembo changed ship and went to seat on the government side. These included Jolly Kalero, a former presenter and broadcaster at the Malawi Broadcasting Corporation.

This could, in part, explain why the number of DPP elected MPs has swollen to 143 (as of yesterday). Party Publicity Secretary Dr. Hetherwick Ntaba said the number was more likely to grow as more MPs saw development sense in working with Mutharika.

The other interesting issues well covered by the newspapers was former president Cassim Chilumpha's declaration he would support government, and that he was working on joining the DPP.

Chilumpha was critical of Mutharika during the formative years of DPP, accusing him of "cheating UDF voters" by ditching the party while in government to form his own, the DPP.

However, his recent declaration has not come as a surprise because the former Veep was asking his constituents from Nkhotakota to vote for him as MP and Mutharika for president.

During his last days in office, he also surprised observers when he, all of a sudden, started singing praises for government, even prompting Mutharika to laud Chilumpha's efforts in rallying people's support towards government's initiatives.

The former Vice President contested for the UDF presidency against party chairperson Bakili Muluzi, where he lost miserably against accusations of favoritism as Muluzi was allowed to address convention delegates and he (Chilumpha) was not. That is largely attributed to be the cracking point between Chilumpha and Muluzi on one hand, and Chilumpha and the party on the other.

A situation compounded by the conviction and subsequent jailing of one of his vocal supporters Sam Mpasu. Mpasu's ordeal came before the convention, exposing Chilumpha to the political winds so powerful to be faced with alone.

Many independents have joined the government side during the week, a fact that also attracted media attention. The Daily Times, for instance, described the MPs' move in an editorial as betrayal of voters' wishes.

It questioned whether voters were foolish to vote for independents instead of, say, DPP, UDF or MCP? The paper asked MPs not to betray the wishes of their constituents by jumping ship anyhow.

This and next week, attention is expected to focus on the appointment of a new cabinet by president Mutharika. Delays to do so would delay the next meeting of parliament, largely expected to be early next week, or make it academic if it is held without cabinet ministers.

All eyes are on Mutharika. He is the appointing authority, as said by Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Bright Msaka, this week.

AEP

Post Malawi Elections 2009 : Week in review

As the dust is refusing to settle from the May 19 general elections aftermath, the week gone by had a story of the Members of Parliament taking oath of office and allegiance attracting most attention.
Of course taking oath was something anticipated but it was yet to be seen how Parliament would handle constituencies whose results are being contested in the courts following a court injunction which some failed aspirants applied to the High Court.
The injunction was aimed at restraining winning candidates from taking oath of office.
But High Court Judge Joseph Manyungwa rebuffed the application saying granting an interlocutory injunction restraining the winning candidates from taking oath of office would deprive the rights of constituents to be represented in the National Assembly.
The judge argued that the cases would go expedited hearing saying such cases have an abridged time as stipulated in the practice direction 1 of 2009.
The ruling left people who are contesting the results like Chief political advisor to the president Hetherwick Ntaba who contested for Lilongwe South East on DPP ticket and lost to MCP'S Willard Gwengwe and former speaker of Parliament Louis Chimango frustrated.
The Court's verdict allowed the winning MPs to take oath between Monday and Tuesday with only two constituencies Zomba Malosa and Blantyre City Centre left out.
The two constituencies will hold by elections because the vice president Joyce Banda won the Zomba Malosa seat. Banda surrendered her seat in order to serve as the vice president while for Blantyre City Centre the parliamentary elections were postponed on May 19 to July due to the death of one of the aspiring candidates. DPP has since said it will hold primary elections for the Zomba Malosa by elections.
During the two days the MPs were taking oath, the most noticeable thing was how DPP supporters booed MCP president John Tembo who was among the MPs who took oath.
Tembo was not moved with the insults leveled at him and made it clear that by taking oath of office does not mean he has conceded defeat. He has said he will only concede defeat if only the courts rule that the elections were not rigged. But government has since asked the High Court in Lilongwe to dismiss John Tembo's case.
At the end of the swearing ceremony of new MPs, DPP netted 29 out of 32 independent MPs to make it 143 MPs on the government side.
Reports indicated that only two independents sat on the opposition side with the rest associating themselves with government side.

Among independent MPs who have joined DPP are former vice president Cassim Chilumpha. Another prominent figure that is showing allegiance to DPP is Malavi People's Party (MPP) president Uladi Mussa who decided to sit on the government side after taking oath.
Chilumpha has since opted for a full government retirement package which means the Nkhota Kota South parliamentarians would forgo the monthly package from Parliament.
The constitution provides that a retired head of state or vice president who chooses to back to politics can either have a retired package forfeited if the person opts for a monthly salary from the consolidated fund or vice versa.
The development exacerbated fears from some quarters of a looming dictatorship which DPP dismissed saying DPP MPs were people of high integrity who would preserve the dignity and discipline of the House by supporting Mutharika and government development agenda.
As word of advice, Vice President Joyce Banda warned new MPs that noise makers in the last National Assembly were left out by voters in the May 19.
Chief Justice Lovemore Munlo who conducted the swearing in ceremony also asked the MPs to protect the public in running their affairs.
In another development MCP forced its new elected MPs to sign for a letter purportedly expressing allegiance to John Tembo to be the next leader of opposition. MCP woes continued with more MCP officials joining former party's spokes person Ishmael Chafukira to call for new blood.

Bingu Commends Churches For Praying for Peaceful Elections

President Bingu wa Mutharika on sunday thanked the church for praying for peaceful elections in the just ended May 19 General elections.He was speaking at the consecration of the Anglican Bishop for the diocess of the Upper Shire, bishop Brighton Malasa."Let me tell you.There are some who until do not believe God answers prayer.Malawi has set the standards.We have managed to hold peaceful elections,said happily Bingu.He therefore,wished the knewly consecrated bishop a health life and all the best.

AEP

Youth Organization in Voter Education Drive

A youth organization in the northern district of Rumphi, Youth Net and Counseling (Yoneco) has trained 42 community based Educators to conduct voter education and act as monitors during the May 19 elections.

 

Yoneco's administration officer Stella Mpina says the CBE's will be deployed across the district to raise awareness on the electoral process.

 

"We believe that a well- informed public on electoral issues would help in ensuring free, fair and credible elections", she said.

 

Rumphi is among several districts in the northern region where people have been complaining about lack of civic education on electoral process from the accredited NGOs.

 

Robert Chirwa a vendor told AEP that he is among those who still don't know how to cast a vote.

 

"It will be my first time to vote but I tell you don't know what I am supposed to do on the polling day". -AEP

Mvula, Kaliati Debate Policies

UDF Director of Research Humphrey Mvula and DPP's Director of Women Patricia Kaliati were on Sunday pitched side by side to debate over their respective party manifestos at Civic Centers in Blantyre.

 

Electoral Commission EC organized the debate to offer an opportunity to parties contesting in next week's elections to sale their manifestos to the public.

 

When asked to share what UDF has planned on education, Mvula said apart from removing tuition fees for public secondary schools if voted into government the party would remove English as a yard stick for students to enter the University of Malawi.

 

The UDF manifesto proposes a review of University Entrance Examination criteria to enable those students who get a pass in English at O-levels to access tertiary education. But Kaliati observed that the proposal has the potential to kill or lower education standards in the country.

 

SOURCE: Daily Times 12 May 12, 2009

PPM/DPP Alliance Strong – Katsonga

President of people's Progressive Movement PPM Mark Katsonga Phiri says the alliance between ruling Democratic Progressive Party DPP and was still solid despite holding campaign rallies independently.

 

Katsonga said this during in Blantyre yesterday. He also revealed that the memorandum of understanding MOU for the two parties alliance was not yet finalized.

 

However, Katsonga said the delay in completing the MOU was not an issue to his party because the nation heard both sides confirming the alliance.

 

SOURCE: Daily Times 12 May 12, 2009

Close Nkando Police- Kaliati

The arrest of two supporters for DDP candidate for Mulanje West Patricia Kaliati on Thursday, was a reason enough for her to walk over 100 meters barefoot to Nkando Police Unit the following day to secure their unconditional release.

 

She also demanded closure of the facility arguing that it not serving the best interest of the area.

 

Southern region police spokesman Dave Chingwalu on Sunday confirmed the development but refused to comment on the minister's demand.

 

Kaliati who is also Minister of Information and Civic Education on Monday confirmed she ordered the release of Kolesi John, 48 and Patrick Mwahiwa, 47 who were charged with destruction of campaign materials for her rival John Saini, an independent candidate.

 

Nkando Police said they arrested the two following a complaint that they removed Saini's campaign materials at a political rally venue.

 

The police said an angry Kaliati walked to the unit on Friday and demanded the release of the suspects or be locked up in their place.

 

"They released the two but the major concern is that she is interfering too much into the operations and administrative issues of the police", said the source.

 

On the same Friday, she drove her official vehicle to Mulanje Police Station where she parked it and threw its key at a senior police officer and demanded that Nkando Police Station be closed or she would not collect the car.

 

But her driver collected the vehicle on Sunday in the company of district assembly officials. Kaliati told The Nation on Sunday she did not like the way police officers at Nkando handled suspect's case and that is why she dumped her vehicle at Mulanje Police Station.

 

"I have indeed asked the Mulanje Police officer in charge to close down the unit. It is not serving us properly", said Kaliati.

 

She claimed the Saini's supporters instead of hers deserved to be arrested for pulling down DPP campaign materials.

 

Source- Nation, Tuesday 12 May 2009

MCP to Establish Own Tally Centre

Despite President Bingu wa Mutharika objection to have parallel tally centre, MCP has announced it will establish one to prevent rigging in the forthcoming elections.

 

MCP published on its website that it intends to deploy monitors in all polling stations through out the country to aid it in the exercise.

 

MCP spokesperson Ishmael Chafukira said in an interview on Sunday his party does not want a repeat of the May 2004 scenario where he claimed the presidential elections rightful winner John Tembo was robbed of victory.

 

Electoral Commission (EC) chairperson Anastasia Msosa said in an interview the electoral body did not receive any communication from MCP hence cannot comment on the matter.

 

Chafukira, who described this year's elections as critical, said the party was not required to inform the commission, arguing they were only putting up mechanism to ensure that their votes are not stolen.

 

"We know what is happening and we don't want to take chances", he said.

 

MCP said their tally centre will collect the data that will be compared to EC's official results, adding this is an international practice.

 

The DPP spoke against the tally centre accusing the opposition that supported the idea of trying to bring confusion on the outcome of the official results.

 

Source- Nation, Tuesday 12 May 2009

Muluzi Convoy Stoned

A convoy carrying former president Bakili Muluzi was yesterday stoned somewhere around Goliati where he was scheduled to talk to supporters on a whistle stop to Mulanje.

 

UDF Alliance Publicist Humphrey Mvula confirmed the attack but said Muluzi escaped unhurt.

"It was a few lead vehicles that were damaged but his was not, fortunately," he said.

 

Coincidentally, Goliati is the home of President Bingu wa Mutharika.

Mvula alleged it was supporters of Mutharika's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) that attacked the convoy,

But DPP spokesperson Hetherwick Ntaba dubbed the allegations UDF tricks.

 

The incident comes two days after a convoy carrying Mutharika was stoned in Lilongwe.

Mutharika's convoy was attacked Saturday afternoon at Nathenje by students of Double Vision Private School as he was on a whistle stop tour from Blantyre.

 

Following the incident, the police moved in to arrest two teaches and four students. While the teachers were released the same day, the students were still in custody until Monday.

 

Muluzi, nonetheless, proceeded to hold a rally in Mulanje.

But reacting to DPP connection, Ntaba said in an interview the party would make its position clear after investigations.

 

"But what I can say is that DPP is not a violent party and that should be on put on record. We know UDF tricks. They can put on DPP T- shirts and deliberately stone their own vehicle" he said.

Southern REGION Police spokesperson Davie Chingwalu said he was not officially informed of the incident.

 

"Apart from that, the police were not aware that the former president is conducting a whistle stop tour, not even the DC in Thyolo " he said.

Muluzi first stopped at Bvumbwe and Goliati was supposed to be his second stop, Muluzi is supporting MCP Presidential candidate John Tembo in the Tuesday elections.

 

Source: Daily Times, April 13, 2009

MCP, UDF Invade Cargo Terminal

MCP and UDF officials were the centre of attraction at Kamuzu International Airport (KIA) in Lilongwe yesterday when they besieged the cargo terminal and ordered Electoral Commission (EC) officials to open boxes they suspected contained extra ballot papers for rigging.

 

Chief elections officer David Bandawe was forced to break the seals and open the boxes which contained templates for blind voters and not extra ballot as suspected.

 

Arriving as early as 7am at cargo terminal, UDF officials led by Charlie Daudi claimed boxes containing ballot papers arrived on Tuesday. He said some people queried the agent who was trying to clear consignment but later disappeared.

 

Said Daudi: "That raised suspicion as to why someone should run away. Again, only last week we had SDV clearing the ballot papers and this time they used a different agency (CAS Freight). Why should the commission use different agents for the same good?"

 

Bandawe said this was the first time they allowed parties to oversee the ballot distribution exercise. He appealed for patience and trust for the commission to do its work.

 

"CAS Freight are also our clearing agents. I am not sure where this is coming from. We placed the order late," said Bandawe.

 

He took media and party representatives into the warehouse and ordered the 237 kg package to be opened for inspection by both Malawi Revenue Authority officials and the political parties.

 

Regional Elections Officer Deverson Makwete who arrived at the airport the same time as MCP's Director of Elections Joseph Njobvuyalema and director of research Lingson Belekanyama, was booed by party officials when he asked them if he needed to inform them " when we buy pens."

 

In an interview later Njobvuyalema said the commission was supposed to inform them of any importation of election-related materials to avoid raising suspicion.

 

"We are approaching the finishing line. We have consulted each other all the way and we need to be transparent. We were surprised when we received a report that someone was trying to clear cargo for the commission", he said.

 

The boxes according to Bandawe had 8, 000 templates for all polling centers in the country which visually impaired people will use when voting.

 

Yesterday's incident follows similar drama last Thursday night at the same airport when MCP placed a seal number 366681 at the entrance leading to the ADL warehouse where ballot papers for the May 19 elections are being kept. This incident also led to arguments with police.

 

Source: The Nation May 14, 2009

Ballot Distribution Starts

The electoral Commission yesterday started distribution of polling materials to all districts and assured that materials will reach all stations by the voting day on Tuesday.

 

The commission, political parties' representatives the media and international observers converged on ADL warehouse at Kamuzu International airport (KIA) to witness the dispatch of ballots which will give Malawians a fourth chance to elect their legislative representatives and president since the advent of multiparty politics in 1994.

 

Chief elections officer David Bandawe said the ballots were scheduled to go to each district from the airport.

 

"The district commissioners are expected to ensure that they secure them and we will provide transport for the ballots to all the voting centers. We are sure the process will be by 18^th, said Bandawe.

 

Source: Nation May 14, 2009

Hoax Delays Ballot Dispatch

Opposition politicians yesterday delayed the process of distributing ballot papers and other election materials from Lilongwe to other districts because they were busy investigating reports that the DPP has acquired extra ballots for rigging.

 

But the said ballots turned out to be templates for the blind, materials that would aid the blind on how to elect the president and MP in next Tuesday's polls.

 

The Electoral Commission EC had bought the 4,000 templates for presidential polls and another 6,000 for parliamentary polls, which arrived Tuesday afternoon at Kamuzu International Airport {Kia}, forcing the opposition to think DPP had printed extra papers for rigging.

 

Some private radio Stations Tuesday night announced the issue as a news item.

But one of the election observers, who was at the airport Wycliff Masoo and is director of Research and Documentations for Malawi Human Rights Commission {MHRC}, said in an interview his organization had verified that no extra ballots landed at Kia.

 

" We came here after hearing that another consignment of ballot papers had landed but when we arrived, we verified and discovered that these were items for the blind," he said.

MCP Director of Elections Joseph Njobvuyalema said in a separate interview the party had also verified and confirmed that the cargo for the commission was indeed templates for the blind and not ballots for the DPP.

 

"We were full of suspicion and we were concerned about this, MCP is a major stakeholder in the elections, therefore, the commission should always inform us of what is happening.

 

" They did not tell us that the templates for the blind were coming on Tuesday hence this mix up" said Njobvuyalema.

He said EC has always told them every stage of the electoral process, including procurement and printing of ballot papers but they were surprised the commission did not inform them about the coming in of the templates, which people mistook for ballots.

 

"Any future transactions should be transparent. The situation interms of election is excessively delicate. They should be exceptionally transparent as we get to May 19, until we get the votes, until we announce the results," he said.

Damasio Shuma, a representative of the ruling DPP, said his party was surprised with the reports of extra ballots.

 

He said although EC did not inform DPP about the coming of the templates, the party officials were not suspicious because they have got all the trust in the electoral body.

Chief Elections Officer David Bandawe said the commission was a transparent organization and was surprised by the allegations of extra ballot papers for the DPP.

"We do our things transparently, but we thought the coming of the templates was not an issue that we could even tell the parties, Sometimes we should work on trust," he urged.

He said each center would get two templates for the blind, one each for presidential and parliamentary elections.

 

After the wrangles were over, the distribution of ballot papers started in earnest at around midday yesterday with military and government trucks ferrying the materials to districts.

The politicians were satisfied with the security at the warehouse because the seals put on the doors last Wednesday were intact and the room was not tampered with.

 

Source: Daily Times, 14 May 2009

HRCC Hails Losers

A local human rights NGO the Human Rights Consultative Commitee (HRCC) has commended presidential aspirants who have conceded deafeat saying they have demonstrated a spirit of statesmanship.

About three presidential aspirants have so far accepted defeat ahead of the the announcement of the final results. They are Stanely Masauli presidentantial condidate for Republican Party, James Nyondo an Independent presidential candidate and Kamuzu Chiwambo of People's Transformation Party. Theformer president whos is also the chairman of the opposition United Democratic Front (UDF) and partner in the UDF/ MCP Coalition Bakili Muluzi has also congratulated Bingu wa Mutharika. In press statement HRCC says such attitude is 'critical to the nurturing of our democray'. It says it expect the newly formed government to deliver the promises it has made. "Elections have come and gone but all of us still remain Malawi regardless of political wins or losses suffered"reads the statement in part.
 AEP

Parties silent on speaker, as DPP names Chimunthu Banda

The United Democratic Front (UDF) and Malawi Congress Party (MCP) are yet to name people they want to contest on the position of Speaker of Parliament.

Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has already earmarked former Leader of the House Henry Chimunthu Banda.

UDF spokesperson, Rob Jamieson, and his MCP counterpart, acting publicity secretary Nancy Tembo, could not be drawn to comment on the parties' candidates.

Observers have said, however, it would be less likely for the two opposition parties to field contestants for the position, as they were already disadvantaged by numbers.

The DPP has 114 parliamentarians- a figure that has since grown to over 143 as independent candidates jump their neutral ship to join hands with the party- while the MCP and UDF have 26 and 16 MPs, respectively.

Chimunthu Banda, who is also DPP secretary general, confirmed the development he had been earmarked by his party for the position of speaker.

AEP/Richard Chirombo

Another Era for Malawi Parliament

Malawi's newly elected MPs have been sworn in Monday, a development that nearly failed for some, or culminates into the manifestation of a long time dream for many.

For Symon Vuwa Kaunda, Felix Njawala, Edwin Banda, Billy Kaunda, and others whose victories are being contested at the High Court, the ceremony came as second relief. The High Court sitting in Blantyre had judged ruled on Sunday, through Judge Joseph Mwanyungwa, that the injunction that aggrieved MPs were seeking to stop the swearing in ceremony, would be costly to democracy of representation as well constituents.

That was timely relief to triumphant MPs, as confirmed by Vuwa-Kaunda.  He said he was happy that he would, again, represent his Nkhatabay constituents, and that Monday would remain a memorable day to him.

"I am over the moon. It doesn't get better than this because I think this will be one of the best parliaments in Malawi," said Vuwa-Kaunda.

Even for those who did not have to face court injunctions, the day was memorable as they fought a tough and hard tick campaign to come out of the process unbruised and unscathed.

That mood was well-summed up by Catherine Gotani Hara. She said campaigning was not easy.

"Only that I have always wanted to become MP. And I fought for it the hard way. I look forward to a good parliament, with understanding and reasonable legislators," said Gotani Hara, MP for Mzimba North East.

She described her taking of office as "the best moment in my life" and hoped that she will represent Malawian women well.

Otria Moyo Jere for Kasungu West said the swearing in ceremony was like another era ushered for Malawi, "an era of development and more development. A term of office of positive contributions from MPs", but one that ought to be taken as learning process as well.

Their was some nervousness as the MPs each went to the podium to say the words that break or unbreak. And a smile afterwards. At least until March 20, 2014 when, according to the law, the new parliament will be old enough to retire, or seek re-election.

                              
AEP/ Richard Chirombo

High court says swearing in can go on

The High Court, sitting in Blantyre Sunday, has directed that the swearing in ceremony of newly elected MPs be proceeded in Lilongwe today, quashing grievances from dissatisfied contestants who lost during the May 19 elections.

The MPs, led by Ralph Mhone of Nkhata bay Central constituency, wanted the court to restrain government from going ahead with the swearing in ceremony, citing irregularities in their constituencies.

But High Court Judge Joseph Manyungwa, said doing so would deny constituents fair representation in parliament, adding there would be an opportunity for the discontented MPs to present their substantive matters- instead of halting the ceremony.

This also means other applications for interlocutory injunctions sought by former Deputy Transport Minister Rashid Gaffar and Jean Kamphale- who contested and lost in Blantyre Kabula- and Hetherwick Ntaba, DPPs spokesperson, have fallen by the wayside also.

New MPs are being sworn in today in Lilongwe.

 AEP/richard chirombo

Veteran UDF member resigns

Working United Democratic Front (UDF) executive committee member, Harry Thomson, has announced his resignation from active politics.

Thomson, who has served UDF for 17 years and stood for parliament in Chikwawa North, said his resignation is not related to the results of the may19 elections.

Neither is it related to his failure in Chikwawa North, he said.

"It is based on principal. I want to give chance to young blood," said Thomson.

UDF National Chairman, Bakili Muluzi, said last week the party was now strategizing on having young blood.

Muluzi, who congratulated Bingu wa Mutharika well before announcement of electoral results by the Electoral Commission, has since withdrawn his appeal over the eligibility of a president who has already served his two constitutional years and wants to come back. The Malawi constitution provides for a maximum of two consecutive terms.

Thomson said he has retired a happy man, having seen the UDF grow. He declined to comment on why he had retired a "happy man" when the UDF had performed miserably in the elections.

But UDF spokesperson, Robbie Jammieson, has called for some discussions over Thomson's decision saying- if it were an issue of taking a breather by Thomson- the party was ready to give him some "three months" rest- other than accept his decision to quit altogether.

Thomson has recently become too closer to Muluzi, to the effect that they have been seen to travel in one vehicle during public meetings, including at the inauguration ceremony of Bingu wa Mutharika.

AEP/richard chirombo

Veteran UDF member resigns

Working United Democratic Front (UDF) executive committee member, Harry Thomson, has announced his resignation from active politics.

Thomson, who has served UDF for 17 years and stood for parliament in Chikwawa North, said his resignation is not related to the results of the may19 elections.

Neither is it related to his failure in Chikwawa North, he said.

"It is based on principal. I want to give chance to young blood," said Thomson.

UDF National Chairman, Bakili Muluzi, said last week the party was now strategizing on having young blood.

Muluzi, who congratulated Bingu wa Mutharika well before announcement of electoral results by the Electoral Commission, has since withdrawn his appeal over the eligibility of a president who has already served his two constitutional years and wants to come back. The Malawi constitution provides for a maximum of two consecutive terms.

Thomson said he has retired a happy man, having seen the UDF grow. He declined to comment on why he had retired a "happy man" when the UDF had performed miserably in the elections.

But UDF spokesperson, Robbie Jammieson, has called for some discussions over Thomson's decision saying- if it were an issue of taking a breather by Thomson- the party was ready to give him some "three months" rest- other than accept his decision to quit altogether.

Thomson has recently become too closer to Muluzi, to the effect that they have been seen to travel in one vehicle during public meetings, including at the inauguration ceremony of Bingu wa Mutharika.

AEP/Richard Chirombo

We will support govt.: general chorus after Malawi elections

At first, the dominant talk was about going to the State House. Some politicians even went to the extent of calling president Bingu wa Mutharika a failure who had let the pockets of the people run dry because of his stringent economic policies.

Now, after the May 19 elections, so many things have changed. Not only in the shape of national politics once dominated by regionalism and nepotism. Even the language of, hither to, 'unappreciative' politicians.

Almost every political party in Malawi- including the United Democratic Front (UDF), Maravi People's Party- are talking about supporting Mutharika, a language that has become synonymous with Mutharika's overwhelming 50.7 per cent national vote victory over opposition joint Malawi Congress Party's ( MCP) and UDF presidential candidate John Tembo.

UDF spokesperson, Robbie Jammieson, said the party would now support government, but not blindly. Sentiments shared by MPP, whose President Uladi Mussa says he, too, will support Mutharika's government.

Several other independent MPs have also said they will support government, raising fears such sentiments could be making of a dictatorship.

Chancellor College political scientist, Blessings Chinsinga, says the development could both be a blessing and recipe for disaster.

"If the DPP uses its majority well, it will be a blessing. If it will misuse it, it will be a disaster," he said.

MPP president, Uladi Mussa, has defended his decision to support government, saying he had all along supported it- even during the intense heat of the last five years.

The MCP is, however, divided, with some MPs like Ishmael Chafukira saying they would support government while party president Tembo says it would be too early before completion of his court case. He is disputing the results of the polls citing "massive irregularities".

AEP/richard chirombo

Tembo says appealing elections’ results for posterity

Joint Malawi Congress Party (MCP) and United Democratic Front (UDF) presidential candidate, John Tembo, has revealed the reasons for his appeal to the High Court, disputing results of the May19 presidential elections, saying he was doing it for the sake of posterity.

This follows concerns from civil society organizations and political commentators that Tembo's stand was contrary to voters' wishes, as seen in their over-whelming votes for Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP) candidate, Bingu wa Mutharika.

Sentiments also echoed by religious leaders, who, through the Malawi Council of Churches (MCC) have implored Tembo to withdraw his sentiments the polls were "massively rigged", as it went against the "spirit of Malawians".

But Tembo has hit back: "Let religious leaders concentrate on church issues and not politics. We are doing this (going to court) for the sake of our posterity. If we have lost because of questionable mistakes, we must ensure that such a thing doesn't happen again in future. That is our motivation," said Tembo.

Tembo also said he would be a happy man once the courts make their judgment over the conduct of the polls, which he said left "a lot to be desired".

"Our action does not mean we are against the President, or whoever. It simply means we do not access the verdict of a voting system that was not fair," said Tembo.

Tembo now faces opposition from his own party, with some members of the national executive committee asking him to resign, while others are saying it was too early because no postmortem of the May19 elections has been carried out by the party yet. Yet others have chosen to keep their cards close to their chest.

Tembo wields too much power in the MCP that whoever opposes him surely goes.

AEP/Richard Chirombo

Mutharika thanks voters

By Richard Chirombo/AEP

President Bingu wa Mutharika has gone back to national business, thanking voters for voting for his Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) MPs and him as president.

Mutharika was in Blantyre and Thyolo, his home district yesterday, where he joked over the fall of the United Democratic Front and MCP, as passing budgets would no longer be a problem now.

"The UDF is dead; the MCP is dead. It is time for progressive politics," said Mutharika, who bemoaned the conduct of opposition MPs during the past five years.

"They frustrated national development. They wanted nothing good for this country. Now things have changed, and I want to thank you for that," he reiterated at each meeting yesterday.

Massive turnout at Bingu's inauguration

Large crowds have turned up at Kamuzu Stadium to witness the inauguration of president-elect, Bingu wa Mutharika of the Republic of Malawi. He triumphed over MCP's John Tembo and five other candidates. Dr Mutharika will shortly arrive at Kamuzu Stadium where he will be sworn in for a second term in office.

The Malawi Electoral Commision last night confirmed him as the victor in the recent general elections. Several Heads of State are in Malawi to witness the event. Most notable among them are Robert Mugabe (Zimbabwe), King Mswati (Swaziland) and Jakaya Kikwete (Tanzania).

AEP

From Tally to Party Centre

Kwacha Conference Centre in Blantyre is renowned for hosting marriage or engagements events. But never when National Elections results are being tallied within the vast stomach of this magnificent hall also known as COMESA. 

The hall has been performing the later task from Tuesday, May19,2009 following Malawi's historic fourth elections since the re-advent of multiparty politics in 1994. Pitied against each other were John Tembo, the joint Malawi Congress Party/United Democratic Front presidential candidate and Bingu wa Mutharika of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).

It is Bingu who has triumphed by landing an overwhelming 2,730,630 slide against Tembo's 1,270,057. This was despite that full results were not in from some 10 constituencies in Machinga, Phalombe, Blantyre, among other areas.

But the result had to take patience and endurance as observers and media personnel were kept waiting for the results, as electoral staff worked 24/7 not to miss the simplest detail. It also had to take 01:08am, the time it took EC chairperson, Justice Anastasia Msosa, to declare Mutharika the overall winner.

This sent a cross section of DPP supporters gathered in the room into some sort of temporary madness, as they started jubilating and sinsing just as Msosa was to make the all-important announcement.

It had to take Chief Elections Officer, David Bandawe, to call the jubilant supporters to order before Msosa announced the common knowledge that Mutharika had carried the day.

Critics had said before announcent of the results listeners outside COMESA were more informed than those within (the tally centre) as they were kept abreast of current voting statistics almost every minute through unofficial radio results.

Former president, Bakili Muluzi's son Atupele, also witnessed the declaration of the presidency of Mutharika, whom his father had already congratulated earlier on. 

Seven candidates contested in the presidential election. They are Mutharika, 2,730,630; Kamuzu Chibambo of Peoples Transformation Party 31,960; Loveness Gondwe of the New Rainbow Alliance 29,705; Stanly Masauli (Republican Party) 31,303; Alliance for Democracy's Dindi Gowa Nyasulu, 19,024; and independent presidential candidate James Nyondo, 25,171 votes.

Jubilant DPP supporters then turned the tally centre into what it is known for- intertainment, when they danced 'Sendela' and other party songs.

The way the music came, it must have been well prepared.

 AEP/richard chirombo

Observers Endorse The General Elections As Free, Fair

International election observers have said the 2009 general elections in which President Bingu wa Mutharika has won took place in an environment of peace and tranquility and that the results thus far are a true reflection of the will of the people of Malawi.
Malawi Electoral Commission will make an official announcement.
The observers include Commonwealth Observers Group, Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), The Electoral Institute of Southern Africa (EISA).
Speaking to the journalists yesterday in Blantyre, chair of the Commonwealth Observer Group John Kufuor said the mission has observed that Malawi is in the right direction and that other nations should learn from the way the elections have been conducted.
Kufuor said overall the campaign period was peaceful and that voters were free to express their will through the secret ballot. He also said counting at the polling station was generally conducted well.
"We have observed that Malawi being a young revolution of democracy is in the right direction and I encourage Malawi to develop more their country," he said.
However, Kufuor observed that the overwhelming impact of the exploitation of the incumbency advantage, especially unashamed bias of the state TV and radio, created a markedly unlevel playing field, tarnishing the otherwise democratic character of the campaign.
He said it is a concern to Commonwealth because some of the shortcomings identified, such as media bias, exploitation of incumbency and problems with the process of voter registration reflect some of the problems highlighted in 2004.
"In order to fully meet benchmarks for democratic elections Malawi needs to address theses issues ahead of the next elections," Kufuor said.
Ambassador Otema Musuka, Head of COMESA Election Observer Mission said Malawi has proved to Africa and the world as whole that it is possible to hold peaceful, free and fair elections.
He said COMESA is encouraged because the verdict on who the next President of Malawi will be has been passed by Malawians without being forced.
"Malawi has set a good example and this is the culture we need. Let people choose the leaders of their choice," Musuka said.
Musuka congratulated Malawi for turning up in large numbers and urged them to maintain peace in the post election period.
EISA Mission leader Denis Kadima said the elections were held in conformity with the Principles for Election Management, Monitoring and Observation in the SADC region (PEMMO).

AEP

MEC OFFICIALLY ANNOUNCING RESULTS NOW

Chairperson of MEC is now making announcement. Justice Anastasia says they have decided to dwell on the presidential results for now. She says that the rest of the results are coming in fast to the National Results Centre. The final results are expected before end of Thursday.

So far in the announced consituencies, Bingu wa Mutharika of the DPP is leading.

Details to follow later

AEP

MEC YET TO PROVIDE RESULTS

Anxiety reigns at the National Results Centre, Comesa Hall in Blantyre as the nation expects to hear offcial results of the Tuesday polls.

Journalists from various media houses are heard announcing and publishing unofficial results, a development which somehow is helping to contribute reducing lack of information to the nation.The Malawi Electoral Commission is was expected to announce the the next batch of results last night but they postponed to 10 am this Thursday. However it is clear that the commission is still not ready to announce the results which unofficially give a lead to DPP.

Meanwhile calm remains in Malawi as people follow the unofficial results being aired on various radio stations.

The AEP team is yet to establish when the inauguration ceremony for the president may take place.

AEP