Atupele yet to collect nomination papers from MEC

As the day draws near for the forthcoming May 21 tripartite election, United Democratic Front (UDF) President Atupele Muluzi is yet to collect nomination papers from Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) in redness for the polls.

MEC Spokesperson Sangwani Mwafulilwa confirmed of the development in an interview with the press on Tuesday.

According to Mwafulilwa, President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and main opposition Malawi Congress Party (MCP) President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera have collected the nomination papers.

Apart from the two, State Vice President Dr. Saulos Chilima of United Transformation Movement (UTM) and former President Joyce Banda who is also torchbearer of People’s Party (PP) have also collected the nomination papers.

Atupele’s delay to collect the nomination papers has ignited speculations that he is undecided on whether to contest for the High Office on not.

Published reports indicated that Atupele has been offered the post of third Vice President by President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika.

Effort to talk to Muluzi on the matter proved futile.

The window for collecting the nomination papers remains open until next month