By Joseph Dumbula
The Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) has permitted 17 presidential candidates out of twenty ahead of the September 16 general elections.
Sangwani Mwafulirwa, the MEC’s director for media and public relations, said in a statement released that the approvals and rejections followed a “thorough review process in line with the relevant electoral laws and regulations.”
MEC Chairperson Justice Annabel Mtalimanja on Thursday unveiled the list of approved candidates, which includes incumbent President Lazarus Chakwera, running on a Malawi Congress Party (MCP) ticket; former President Peter Mutharika of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP); and former President Joyce Banda representing the People’s Party (PP).
Meanwhile, political parties and independent candidates have launched their campaigns nationwide to garner support ahead of the polls.
With the introduction of the 50+1 electoral law, alliances are expected to play a crucial role in determining the outcome, particularly with over seven million Malawians eligible to vote.
