* Ansah is infamous of the disputed 2029 presidential election that was riddled with Tippex controversy leading to opposition parties to seek court intervention
* That led to the Constitutional Court to nullify the results which Mutharika was declared the winner
* She is also contesting for a seat in Parliament in Ntcheu North West Constituency where Mutharika’s 2019 election running mate Chimulirenji is also running as MP
By Duncan Mlanjira
Former State President Arthur Peter Mutharika has unveiled former Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) chairperson, Justice Jane Ansah, retired, as his running mate for the September 16 election representing Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).
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Mutharika’s presidential nomination papers were approved at Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) in Lilongwe though subject to further scrutiny after all other nomination papers have been presented on July 30 when the incumbent, President Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera will be the last at 13h30 after independent Smart Swira had done so at 09h00.
Jane Ansah is infamous of the disputed 2029 presidential election that was riddled with Tippex controversy leading to opposition parties to seek court intervention that led to the Constitutional Court to nullify the results which Mutharika was declared the winner.
In the re-run, the Tonse Alliance — led by Malawi Congress Party (MCP) and UTM Party — won the election with Chakwera as President and late Saulos Chilima as his Vice-President.
Interestingly, in the 2019, Mutharika’s running mate was Everton Chimulirenji who was then Member of Parliament for Ntcheu North West Constituency and a senior DPP member where Ansah is also contesting for seat in the National Assembly.
She defeated Chimulirenji in the DPP’s constituency primary election, which prompted the Chimulirenji to leave the party citing internal conflicts and alleged mistreatment by some senior members.
Better days: Chimulirenji and Mutharika
Chimulirenji, who previously served as a Cabinet Minister under DPP-led admistration, then defected to the UTM Party, saying he no longer felt respected or valued in the DPP.
“I realised that remaining in DPP could have damaged my image due to internal conflicts and personal attacks from some individuals who do not wish the party well,” Chimulirenji told the media.
Meanwhile, the presentations of the nominations for the 22 presidential candidates continues as after Mutharika is independent candidate, Milward Tobias (13h30 and National Development Party (NDP’s) Frank Mwenifumbo at 15h30.
Ahead of Mutharika’s presentation of his nomination papers and the announcement of his running mate, Alliance for Democracy (AFORD) president, Enoch Kamzingeni Chihana announced that his party has gone into an electoral alliance with the DPP.
Chihana expressed his “disappointment at the total number of presidential candidates vying for the highest office in the land”, saying: “With 20 individuals seeking the presidency, it is clear that many are driven by personal ambition rather than a genuine desire to serve the nation.
“In a country struggling with pressing economic challenges, this dissonance of candidacies is a luxury we can ill afford. Therefore, I have decided not to join this calamity of greed individuals who are eager to satisfy their personal interests and not that of a common man.
“It is imperious that we prioritise unity, stability, socio-economic development and collective progress over individual interests,” says Chihana adding that Malawians have “suffered as a result of skyrocketing of prices, scarcity of fuel, lack of employment among the youth, deliberate creation of hunger due to exorbitant price of fertilizer, sheer arrogance, nepotism, mismanagement of resources through corruption and failure to adhere on austerity measures”.
The presentation of nomination papers started yesterday with former State President Joyce Banda and unveiled her 2012-2014 administration’s Vice-President Khumbo Kachali as her running mate.
She was followed by little-known Adil Chilungo, who successfully passed the presidential nomination paper inspection as he named Melvis Mwalukuwo as running mate.
But MEC Nationalist Patriotic Party leader, Daniel Dube to re-submit his nomination papers by July 30 after his running mate, Dunstan Mwaungulu submitted incomplete declaration form and absence of identification copies.
Representing United Democratic Front (UDF), Atupele Muluzi will do the honours tomorrow, July 26 from 09h00 followed by former Leader of Opposition when he was with DPP, Kondwani Nankhumwa — now representing his own People’s Development Party (PDP) from 13h30 and independent, Cosmas Felix Chipojola 15h30.
UTM Party’s Dalitso Kabambe will be next on Sunday, July 27 from 09h00 along with Akwame Banda of Anyamata, Atsikana, Azimayi (AAA) from 13h30 and Rev. Hardwick Kaliya (15h30).
On Monday, July 28, it’s for David Mbewe of Liberation for Economic Freedom Party (LEFP) at 09h00, followed by People’s Transformation Party (Petra) president, Kamuzu Walter Chibambo (13h30).
Current Vice-President, Michael Bizwick Usi — representing Odya Zake Alibe Mlandu Party will be expected at BICC from 09h00 on Tuesday, July 29 from 09h00, followed by Patriotic Citizens Party (PCP) president, Jordan Sauti (11h00) and former Vice-President in UDF administration, Cassim Chilumpha from 13h30 — representing Assembly for Democracy and Development (ADD).
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