Chakwera given 7 days on MCP convention
Petitioners demand emergency convention, suspension of restructuring, and withdrawal of election fees.
Malawi Congress Party (MCP) president Lazarus Chakwera has been given seven days to call an emergency convention and suspend disputed party restructuring. A group led by former MCP Southern Region chairperson Dennis Nanthumba delivered a petition on Tuesday demanding these actions and the withdrawal of candidature fees for committee elections.
The petitioners, who include aspiring regional chairpersons, argue that Chakwera's term as party president has expired and he is no longer eligible for another term. They threaten to seek court intervention, including injunctive relief, if the party does not respond satisfactorily within the seven-day deadline.
The petition also calls for the immediate suspension of proposed demarcations of party regions and districts, arguing it could affect membership allocation and representation. MCP presidential hopeful Alex Major and 42 district chairpersons had previously called for a convention, but the National Executive Committee resolved to retain Chakwera.
Why it mattersMalawi Congress Party members are challenging the tenure of their president, Lazarus Chakwera, and demanding changes to party structure and election processes.