Newcomers rock People’s Party convention, delegates confused

It is not all rosy for Malawi’s ruling People’s Party (PP), which is set to make history by holding a convention this Monday, when most political parties have not held such indabas for long.

Confusion has rocked the ruling party on selection of delegates from some districts, casting a shadow on the Monday exercise.

According to inside sources, the influx of new members into PP from other parties, mainly the former ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), is causing headaches to organisers, especially in the Central Region, where the new members are pressing to be included as delegates to the convention.

PP provincial chairperson for the Centre Kizito Ngwembe on Wednesday confirmed the pressure from ex-DPP members, but said the party will not allow them to participate in the indaba because it has already identified all delegates to the national conference.

Said Ngwembe: “What has happened is that there are some people who have recently come into the party and found that elections were already conducted in districts.

“In districts like Nkhotakota, there are people who have come from DPP in the constituency of the Honourable Daniel Liwimbi [Minister of Tourism and Culture] and want to be included as delegates to the convention.

“We have told them that we will accommodate them into the party, but it’s impossible for them to attend the convention because we have already identified 15 people per district to come to the convention as delegates.”

He said they have also heard reports from several districts about the confusion resulting from the insistence of some new members to go to the convention, but said the party will maintain its stance and allow only those who currently hold party positions to attend the national conference.

One of the aspirants for the party’s NGC positions in the Central Region said on Tuesday apart from Nkhotakota, other districts where some ex-DPP members are pushing for inclusion to attend the PP convention as delegates include Salima and Ntcheu.

Said the source: “The concerned members want fresh elections for all district committees because some of the existing committees were formed before PP went into government.”

PP is set to hold its first national conference on August 27 at an undisclosed venue where the delegates are expected to fill all positions in the party’s National Governing Council (NGC) including that of the presidency.

The delegates are also expected to elect three vice-presidents to lead the party in the Northern, Central and Southern regions.

Some of the members who have so far expressed interest to vie for PP vice-presidency include party treasurer general Brown Mpinganjira and Minister of Transport and Public Works Sidik Mia, according
to PP provincial chairperson for the South Ali M’balaka.