Malawi News

UDF postpones convention

UDF postpones convention

By Pemphero Malimba:

The opposition United Democratic Front (UDF) has postponed its elective convention, which was slated for August 3 2024, citing technical challenges encountered in filling nomination forms.

The party’s publicity secretary Yusuf Mwawa told The Daily Times Sunday the party’s National Executive Committee arrived at the decision as it wants to hold a “successful” conference.

“We want to ensure that everyone is accommodated and that the forms that they filled should make them eligible to compete at the convention,” Mwawa said.

He said the party would work towards ratifying the problem very soon.

“We will update Malawians on new dates for the convention,” he said.

He said the party has enough time to hold the convention.

“Our constitution allows us to hold the convention six months prior to general elections. As such, we have time to deal with this problem without infringing on any regulation of the party,” he said.

Commenting on the development, political analysts Victor Chipofya challenged the party to expedite preparations for the convention.

“Postponement of the convention would have a bearing on the party’s future. This is because people are anxious to know who will take over the party and the sooner they do that, the better because it will give people time to prepare for who they are going to vote for in the 2025 elections,” Chipofya said.

At least 1,000 delegates are expected to elect new office bearers for UDF at the convention.

This comes barely two weeks after the Alliance for Democracy postponed its elective convention, which was slated for July 2024.

The party’s publicity secretary Amatullah Annie Maluwa said the postponement was meant to give room to the party to strengthen its structures.