Mutharika, Chimulirenji says no to debate

The ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has officially pulled out of the Presidential and runningmate debate organized by privately owned Zodiak Broadcasting Station (ZBS) ahead of the forthcoming May 21 tripartite election.

This has been disclosed in a statement signed by DPP Secretary General Grelzedar Jeffrey made available to faceofmalawi reporter.

According to Jeffrey, the party has reservations about the integrity of the organisation of the debates.

“The DPP assures all Malawians that it will continue to use other channels to communicate its development programmes for the nation and how it is attending to the welfare of Malawians.

“The party wishes to encourage the continuation of participatory democracy where the media plays a critical role,” reads in part the statement.

The Party has since encouraged Malawians to keep engaging with it in order to work together in its vision of moving Malawians from poverty to prosperity.

Reacting to the development Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA-Malawi) Chairperson Teresa Temweka Ndanga said the body is shocked with the stand taken by the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) under President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika.

Ndanga quashed the claims that the organized are favouring the oppositions in the debate.

Meanwhile Ndanga has promised to engage the ruling DPP to reverse its decision on the matter.