Opposition UTM has declared Michael Usi as the party’s parliamentary candidate in Mulanje Central Constituency where he will face incumbent legislator Kondwani Nankhumwa
The party’s primary elections for the constituency failed to take place on January 3 after Usi and competitor Damson Chelewani disagreed over the venue.
UTM director of elections Paul Chibingu said Usi has been declared winner because he was at the scheduled venue of the polls on the day of the elections while Chelewani and his supporters gathered at another venue.
“Chelewani flouted the party’s primary elections law because the district governor recommended that the primary election be held at Ntenjera ground where Dr Usi and his supporters gathered. Mr Chelewani and his supporters gathered at Chisitu, which was contrary to the official venue, hence, declaring Dr Usi a winner,” Chibingu said.
According to Chibingu, the party has also declared Lewis Ng’oma winner in Thyolo North while in Mwanza Central, Lucy Kampezesi is the party’s parliamentary candidate.
Ng’oma was competing against former legislator Anita Kalinde who withdrew while Kampezesi was contesting against Moses Watola.
UTM planned to hold primary elections across the country on January 3 but disagreements, violence and lack of proper organisation disrupted polls in some constituencies.
The party is expected to finalise the primaries this week in Rumphi Central and North, Lilongwe City South, Ntcheu Central and Bwanje and in Salima West where incumbent MP Jessie Kabwila who joined UTM in December after ditching Malawi Congress Party (MCP) is expected to contest.
