MEC consults on running mate resignation

The Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) has referred the matter regarding the resignation of the Tisintha Alliance running mate to the Attorney General for legal advice.

Sylvester Chabuka withdrew from the race a week ago, with less than 40 days to the polling day.

He paired George Mnesa, who is presidential candidate for Tisintha Alliance which comprised almost six political parties.

Mnesa is also president of Malawi Forum Unity for Nation Development (Mafunde), while Chabuka was from the Congress for National Unity (CONU).

Chabuka cited ‘differences in political ideologies within the grouping’ as one of the reasons for his resignation.

MEC Chief Elections Officer, Willie Kalonga, told the media in an exclusive interview that the electoral laws are not clear on what happens when a presidential candidate or running mate withdraws or indeed dies.

Kalonga also admitted that the development might delay the printing of presidential ballot papers which were scheduled to start on Monday, next week.

Currently, MEC has already started printing ballot papers for the local and parliamentary candidates.