Elections hog the limelight in Malawi media

The forthcoming general elections continue to hog the limelight in Malawi, with the Nation daily Monday reporting on results of an opinion poll that gives President Joyce Banda the majority of the votes.With about three weeks to go before Malawians go to the polls on May 20, most newspapers are devoting more space to the elections.

Quoting a survey conducted by India-based Research Tech Consultants, the Nation reported that Banda is expected to win 42 percent of the votes, followed by Malawi Congress Party leader Lazarus Chakwera with 23 percent and Democratic Progressive Party’s Peter Mutharika on 22 percent.

Lead consultant Thomas Odala said the findings were drawn from a sample of 3,883 respondents interviewed countrywide.

The Daily Times carried a story on the stand-off between the Civil Servants Trade Union (CSTU) and the government over a salary hike.

CSTU secretary general Madalitso Njolomole said civil servants are requesting the government to urgently review their salaries to correspond with the cost of living.