President Joyce Banda says Malawians should give her and her newly
unveiled running mate Sosten Gwengwe, a fresh mandate to govern Malawi
saying their vision is that of a transformational agenda.
“I and my running mate seek our own full mandate of a full term…Our country is much better now that when I took over two years ago. Our people are no longer desperate for forex, fuel and other basic social services…I have shown that it is possible to develop Malawi.”
She was presenting her nomination papers to Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) Chair Justice Maxon Mbendera at Comesa Hall in Blantyre this morning.
The People’s Party (PP) leader said the
two years she had been president offered her an opportunity to lay a
good foundation for good leadership in the years to come.
“It was God’s plan for me to be president for these two years, as those were like foundational years, now it’s time to start the actual construction. In these years, I have seen what we need to hold on to or get rid of as a country. I have also seen that it is possible to develop. I have seen that anything is possible,” said Banda.
The President stressed that there is a lot of hope for Malawi, quoting Ernest & Young’s recent prediction that Malawi will be one of the fastest growing economies in the next five years.
She also bragged that the PP pair was well balanced and inclusive.
“I take pride in presenting to you a man and a woman-as a team, and also a woman and a youth-as a team,” she said, referring to the 36-year-old Gwengwe who will turn 37 on the polling day May 20.
Gwengwe is the Minister of Trade and Industry and was unveiled at a ceremony held yesterday in Blantyre.
Banda said her choice of Gwengwe was to demonstrate her trust in the notion that that youth are leaders of today and not tomorrow as widely believed.
She repeatedly stated that she and Gwengwe were ready to lead the country and serve all Malawians regardless of their social or economic status.
Mbendera quashed assertions that MEC was in a position to decide the poll results in favour of President Banda saying the commission could not be drawn to a compromise on who wins or loses the election.
“Let me clear the myth that we (MEC) have already decided in your favour. That duty is the duty of the people that will vote, we are only referees, what they decide is what we shall declare as victory,” said Mbendera.
He further challenged that the commission
was ready to be taken to book on any arising cases of professional misconduct in relation to the election results.
“If you hear anything that we are not going on the path we ought to take as an independent commission, then report and expose us because what we want and stand for is a clear, fair and credible election,” he said.
Banda’s choice of Gwengwe continues to draw mixed reactions from analysts who believe although Gwengwe is new to politics, he could be a force to reckon with.
The analysts also advise President Banda and PP to handle the running mate issue with much care, considering that dropped Vice President Khumbo Kachali and others equally ‘injured’ by Banda’s decision may leave the party.
Asked to explain Kachali’s conspicuous absence at the unveiling ceremony Friday night, Banda told the press “I am not Khumbo Kachali so i cannot explain his absence”.
She said Kachali was meant to help her finish off President Bingu Wa Mutharika’s term which is now over.
“I made it clear to him that I wanted us to work together for the two years, those two years are over now and there is no discussion about it,” she said.
Today is the last for presidential aspirants to present their nomination papers to MEC.
So far, two independent presidential aspirants have dropped out of the race for undisclosed reasons although it is widely believed they did so for lack of funds
RMOS Consultancy, RMOS feedback, RMOS Gurgaon, RMOS PVT LTD, RMOS complaint, RMOS CONSULTANT
“I and my running mate seek our own full mandate of a full term…Our country is much better now that when I took over two years ago. Our people are no longer desperate for forex, fuel and other basic social services…I have shown that it is possible to develop Malawi.”
She was presenting her nomination papers to Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) Chair Justice Maxon Mbendera at Comesa Hall in Blantyre this morning.
President Joyce Banda and her running mate, honourable Sosten Gwengwe
“It was God’s plan for me to be president for these two years, as those were like foundational years, now it’s time to start the actual construction. In these years, I have seen what we need to hold on to or get rid of as a country. I have also seen that it is possible to develop. I have seen that anything is possible,” said Banda.
The President stressed that there is a lot of hope for Malawi, quoting Ernest & Young’s recent prediction that Malawi will be one of the fastest growing economies in the next five years.
She also bragged that the PP pair was well balanced and inclusive.
“I take pride in presenting to you a man and a woman-as a team, and also a woman and a youth-as a team,” she said, referring to the 36-year-old Gwengwe who will turn 37 on the polling day May 20.
Gwengwe is the Minister of Trade and Industry and was unveiled at a ceremony held yesterday in Blantyre.
Banda said her choice of Gwengwe was to demonstrate her trust in the notion that that youth are leaders of today and not tomorrow as widely believed.
She repeatedly stated that she and Gwengwe were ready to lead the country and serve all Malawians regardless of their social or economic status.
Mbendera quashed assertions that MEC was in a position to decide the poll results in favour of President Banda saying the commission could not be drawn to a compromise on who wins or loses the election.
“Let me clear the myth that we (MEC) have already decided in your favour. That duty is the duty of the people that will vote, we are only referees, what they decide is what we shall declare as victory,” said Mbendera.
He further challenged that the commission
was ready to be taken to book on any arising cases of professional misconduct in relation to the election results.
“If you hear anything that we are not going on the path we ought to take as an independent commission, then report and expose us because what we want and stand for is a clear, fair and credible election,” he said.
Banda’s choice of Gwengwe continues to draw mixed reactions from analysts who believe although Gwengwe is new to politics, he could be a force to reckon with.
The analysts also advise President Banda and PP to handle the running mate issue with much care, considering that dropped Vice President Khumbo Kachali and others equally ‘injured’ by Banda’s decision may leave the party.
Asked to explain Kachali’s conspicuous absence at the unveiling ceremony Friday night, Banda told the press “I am not Khumbo Kachali so i cannot explain his absence”.
She said Kachali was meant to help her finish off President Bingu Wa Mutharika’s term which is now over.
“I made it clear to him that I wanted us to work together for the two years, those two years are over now and there is no discussion about it,” she said.
Today is the last for presidential aspirants to present their nomination papers to MEC.
So far, two independent presidential aspirants have dropped out of the race for undisclosed reasons although it is widely believed they did so for lack of funds
RMOS Consultancy, RMOS feedback, RMOS Gurgaon, RMOS PVT LTD, RMOS complaint, RMOS CONSULTANT
