Malawi News

UDF sets criteria for convention

UDF sets criteria for convention

By Isaac Salima:

The opposition United Democratic Front (UDF) has announced that only those who have served the party for not less than five years will be eligible to contest for the position of president and deputy president at the forthcoming elective convention.

The party has announced that it will hold the convention in Blantyre from October 2 to 3 this year.

Speaking at a press briefing held in Blantyre Monday, convention chairperson Aisha Mambo said those vying for the position of secretary general and vice should also be active members who have served the party for a similar period.

“This is according to articles 13 and 14 of the party’s constitution.

“However, there are no eligibility conditions for other positions,” she said.

Mambo said they had invited representatives of other parties to the convention.

On his part, UDF youth president Yusuf Sambo said young people were geared up to support the party so that it would get into power next year.

“What we need to do is to register for national identity cards so that we can be eligible to vote in the elections,” Sambo said.

UDF will become the third party to hold an elective convention after the governing Malawi Congress Party and opposition Democratic Progressive Party.

UDF ruled the country from 1994 to 2005 and got out of power after former president the late Bingu wa Mutharika ditched the party on February 5 2005 and formed DPP