United Democratic Front (UDF) president Atupele Muluzi has collected presidential nomination papers for the 2019 tripartite elections.
According to Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC), Muluzi who is also Minister of Health is one of 13 candidates who have collected nomination papers from the Chief Elections Officer at MEC head office by the close of business today.
Muluzi’s UDF is in an alliance with the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and reports suggest that the two parties want to continue working together during the elections.
President Peter Mutharika of DPP, Saulos Klaus Chilima of UTM, Joyce Banda of People’s Party and Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera of Malawi Congress Party have also collected nomination forms.
Others are former vice president Dr Cassim Chilumpha of Tikonze Peoples Movement (TPM), Democratic People’s Congress’ (DEPECO) Chris Daza, United Independence Party’s (UIP) Chimbuna Belekiah and Peter DSD Kuwani of Mbakuwaku Movement for Development (MMD).
The list also include four independent candidates: Henry Jailos Mbewe, Smart Swira, Pastor Baxter Boyd Natulu and Ras Chikomeni David Chirwa.
For parliamentary candidates, all aspiring candidates who will contest on political party tickets are collecting their nomination papers through their party Secretary Generals.
According to the electoral body, persons with disabilities need to get a letter from the Federation of Disability Organisations in Malawi (FEDOMA) to qualify for the 50 percent discount on nomination fees.
