UTM Candidates to Contest as Independents
UTM candidates who were withdrawn by the party from by-elections that will be held on 5th November in Lilongwe South Constituency and Matenje Ward in Kasungu will contest on independent ticket.
Samson Phinifolo in Matenje Ward and Shadreck Mvula in Lilongwe South Constituency informed Malawi Electoral Commission MEC after it had received a communication from UTM withdrawing its endorsement of them.
Chief elections officer of the commission Sam Alfandika has encouraged all registered voters in the two areas to turn out in large numbers on the voting day.
Meanwhile, UTM says cannot stop Phinifolo and Mvula from contesting as independent candidates because “it is their constitutional right.”
UTM spokesperson Dr Joseph Chidanti Malunga has said this during a press briefing in Lilongwe.
“Let me reiterate that the party will not contest in the by-elections because it lost trust in MEC as it mismanaged May 21 2019 tripartite elections.
Chidanti Malunga said they are waiting for a ruling on the president elections case which is in the constitutional court.
UTM party Dr Saulos Claus Chilima who was the former vice president of president Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika and Dr Lazarus Chakwera of the main opposition Malawi Congress party are challenging the results.
