United Democratic Front (UDF) candidate in the Nsanje Central Parliamentary by-election, Laston Saidi Katole has withdrawn his candidature in the court ordered March 30 by-elections which paves way for a two-horse race between Francis Kasaila of Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and Kafandikhale Mandevana of Malawi Congress Party (MCP).
A statement from the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) states that Katole has withdrawn his nomination and his name has been deleted from the ballot paper.
However, the MEC statement does not indicate the reasons for his withdrawal.
The UDF, which during the May 2019 Tripartite Elections and the June 2020 Fresh Presidential Election partnered with the DPP, says the party chances of winning in Nsanje Central were slim compared to other candidates.
UDF director of elections Clement Stambuli said the party is undertaking strategic review meetings to ensure it mounts strong challenge in future elections with a clear road map.
There are seven seats up for grabs in Parliament during the march 30 by-elections—three came about after the High Court nullified results of the 2019 elections in Nsanje North, Nsanje Central and Chikwawa East; and four—Lilongwe Msinja South, Zomba Changalume, Ntchisi North and Karonga North West—after serving legislators succumbed to Covid-19 in the past four weeks.
MEC will also hold by-elections in two wards—Liviridzi Ward in Balaka West and Chitakale Ward in Mulanje South.
