DPP orders re-run of primaries for Mulanje West Constituency that was riddled with undemocratic processes

John Saini lost to Yusuf Nthenda in the controversial 2019 Parliamentary elections by just 659 votes — 8,885 for Nthenda and 8,226 for Saini * The controversial primaries were won by incumbent Member of Parliament (MP), Yusuf Nthenda, but the other shadow aspirants describing the process as characterising fraud, favouritism and intimidation, among many other misconduct and irregularities * Shadow MPs Memory Kachisa, Gerrard Chiunda, Glaciano Kolove, Lawrence Muhamba and journalist John Saini penned a petition to the Regional…

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Blantyre City Mayor expresses reservations over MACRA using National IDs for SIM card registration; Asks if exercise be postponed till after elections

Councillor Joseph Makwinja * I am afraid this will create a lot of speculations in the public. People are already speculating a lot on use of machines in the elections * This is despite the majority of MACRA’s stakeholders including Mzuzu City Mayor embracing the initiative By Evance Chisiano, MANA & edited by Duncan Mlanjira, Maravi Express Blantyre City Mayor, Councillor Joseph Makwinja has expressed his reservations over Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) using National IDs for SIM card…

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Payment and collection of nomination papers for September 16 Tripartite Elections begins on June 10

* Candidates will be required to pay the non-refundable nomination fees, through a dedicated bank account, before collecting nomination forms at respective district council offices for MPs and Councillors. * Nomination forms for Presidential candidates will be collected from the Malawi Electoral Commission head office By Duncan Mlanjira In the electoral calendar covering events up to September 16 General Elections, Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) highlights for the interest of aspiring candidates that payment and collection of nomination papers for…

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Those with damaged or lost their voter registration certificates assured of replacement free of charge in voters register inspection exercise

* As the second phase of voter inspection exercise commences for three days from tomorrow till Friday (May 20-23) * Covering Rumphi, Nkhata Bay, Likoma, Kasungu, Kasungu Municipality, Dowa, Mchinji, Ntcheu, Zomba and Zomba City, Blantyre and Blantyre City, Thyolo and Luchenza Municipality By Duncan Mlanjira In announcing the second phase voters register inspection exercise, Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) is assuring those who lost or had their voter registration certificates damaged, will be replaced free of charge at voters register inspection centres. A statement…

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‘IMF ECF and World Bank grant are two different financial support by donors’—DCG Chief Economist Chifipa Mhango

Revered Chief Economist Chifipa Mhango * A Grant by definition is a sum of money a Government or an Agency provides for a specific purpose — it can be for a road construction, hospital, school etc * In short, when given grant money, the funds cannot be diverted for other use, otherwise that is stealing * On the other hand, ECF is a credit facility or a form of overdraft or loan which IMF provides to various Governments *…

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Chief Economist Chifipa Mhango disputes Government’s assertion that suspension of IMF ECF is a bold step and a victory for Malawians

A conference of IMF gurus * He contends that the IMF didn’t impose conditions on Malawi — but rather negotiated and needed assurance from the MCP-led Government on areas of fiscal discipline, among other terms * President Lazarus Chakwera then signed up to an agreement in 2023 because they were desperate for forex and donor confidence — and thus the same Chakwera administration cannot blame IMF on not meeting targets of the very terms it agreed to By Duncan…

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‘Chakwera’s administration is now in self inflicting economic mood ahead of the September 16 elections’—analyst

* The termination of this program is expected to negatively affect Malawi’s international credit rating which may worsen the unavailability of forex * Thus “Malawians should brace themselves for a tough time ahead as this development seems to be the last nail of Chakwera’s administration By Duncan Mlanjira President Lazarus Chakwera’s administration “is now in self inflicting economic mood ahead of the September 16 general elections” following the suspension of the extended credit facility (ECF) by the International Monetary…

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‘IMF’s statement on suspension of ECF carries a political undertone’—Chief Economist Chifipa Mhango

* The decision by the IMF is a clear vote of no confidence on the current government administration’s ability to effectively manage an economy * It is a total termination of support and represents a filing of divorce papers. It is the first time since our democracy in 1994 that such strong words have been used that point towards an electoral process as the remedy to Malawi situation. * It is very clear that what the IMF is telling…

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Kamuzu Day replaced Queen’s Day observed during British rule in all Commonwealth countries

* Since Malawi attained her republican status in July 1966, we now have the President of the Republic, who is the Head of State and Government * The position of the Queen as Queen of Malawi, therefore, automatically disappears — but May 14 will remain a public holiday in Malawi * And it will be called ‘Kamuzu Day’ after the head of State and government, H.E. the President of the Republic of Malawi (The Times, 1967) By Duncan Mlanjira…

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Catholic Church’s Vicar General Rev. Tamani hints on bad apples among aspiring September 16 presidential candidates

Rev. Father Tamani during his presentation  * Entreats CCAP ministers to guide congregants to choose a better devil among them and to go and vote in large numbers to avoid voter apathy * The clergy have a role to play in the political arena as they are carrying out the will of God the Almighty here on earth because God commanded man to take care of His world By Duncan Mlanjira Vicar General for Blantyre Catholic Church Diocese, Rev….

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