The opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) is set to hold its elective convention in July in readiness for the 2025 General Election. During the meeting, members are expected to elect new leaders. Our reporter PRECIOUS KUMBANI caught up with DPP secretary-general Clement Mwale. Excerpts:
What will be the party’s focus during the long-awaited convention?
This is an elective convention and all key positions, including the party presidency, will be filled. The new leaders will hold the positions for five years when we are expected to hold another convention. The party’s central committee will soon meet and call for a national governing council (NGC) meeting to fix the date for the convention.
Who is eligible to contest during the convention?
The DPP constitution is clear that only those who have been party members for two to three years, depending on the position up for grabs, will be eligible.
Who are the eligible voters earmarked for the indaba?
According to the DPP constitution, delegates to convention include three members at constituency level. These are the governor, governess and director of youth. At district level, its 15 delegates comprising five from the main body, five youth representatives and five from the women’s body. Every region will send 15 other delegates as well. The entire NGC, councillors and all party members of Parliament [MPs] are also eligible to vote.
How prepared is DPP for the 2025 Tripartite Election?
We are very prepared.In fact, we are geared for the election. We have already started mobilising people to register for the national identity cards in large numbers so that they are eligible to vote. We are holding rallies and whistle-stops meetings across the country, engaging with people from all walks of life and we are enjoying good patronage. This means that our party is strong and our popularity goes beyond regional lines. These meetings will continue and will be intensified. We are telling the people that the DPP is the only party that will rescue them from the current economic challenges including hunger.
Talking of the 2025 elections, are there any plans for DPP to make an alliance with any other party?
No, DPP is a big party. We are going solo. Based on what is on the ground, it is going to be a landslide victory. The current hunger and the 44 percent devaluation of the kwacha have made people realise that it is only the DPP that can bail them out of the current challenges. Every Malawian is feeling the pinch and they can’t let this continue. If we managed to get more MPs in the previous election, next year we are getting more seats.
How do you plan to penetrate other parts of the country where DPP is not popular?
DPP is the only national party. It is popular nationwide. We will have votes across the country. We tell the people the truth and give the people what we promise in the manifesto, not lying to the people that we will do this and end up doing the opposite, no.
How do you plan to resolve the differences or further conflicts in the party now and may be after the convention?
This is the new DPP. Those who were destabilising the party have been removed. There is peace and tranquility in the party now. We are working together, respecting each other, listening to our leaders and everything is smooth. We don’t expect any more conflicts in the party because the hooligans were expelled.
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