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Out of nine presidential hopefuls, only three have successfully submitted their nomination papers to the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) ahead of July 2, 2020 fresh presidential elections.
According to MEC program, the Commission was supposed to receive nomination papers form nine candidates who shown interest to contests in the forthcoming presidential polls.
The exercise started on Wednesday May 6, where the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) president Lazarus Chakwera was the first to submit his papers and unveiled his running-mate Right Honourable Saulos Chilima the state vice president who is also the president for United Transformation Movement (UTM).
The electoral body however, failed to receive nomination papers from Mr. Shaibu Mustafa of the New Vision for Democracy Party who did not show up at Mount Soche where the ceremony was taking place, no reason was provided.
MEC managed to receive papers from Peter Kuwani of Mbakuwaku Movement for Development, who met all the qualifications required by the commission.
The ceremony turned more fun as an independent candidate Ras David Chikomeni Chirwa was sent back by MEC for not meeting qualifications such as paying the required fee f K2 Million kwacha and not possessing signatures.
At least 3 presidential candidates Mr. Reverend Hardwick Kaliya, Phunziro Mvula and Khwechani Wesuze Nkhoma both independent withdrew from their candidatures and endorsed the Tonse Alliance which is being led by Chakwera.
Smart Swira, was also rejected by MEC due to some shortcomings on his nomination papers, Swira did not satisfy the K2 million requirement and did not show evidence of ten signatures from each district vetting him for the number one job in the country.
The last candidate was President Peter Mutharika of Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) who successfully submitted his nomination papers and shown his running-mate Atupele Muluzi leader of United Democratic Front (UDF).
According to MEC for the next 7 days the commission will be scrutinizing the nomination papers and announce of the eligible stand to contest in the fresh presidential elections.
On February 3, the Constitutional Court nullified May 21, 2019 presidential election in which the electoral body declared Mutharika winner of the disputed elections, hence Chilima and Chakwera moved to court seeking for nullification of the presidential elections.
