By Burnett Munthali
A legal dispute within the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) has taken a new twist after the lawyer representing aspiring candidate Mumba demanded that the party fully comply with a court order mandating fresh primary elections.
In a letter addressed to the MCP leadership, Mumba’s legal team insisted that the party provide full transparency by sharing the delegate list with their client for review.
The letter further emphasized that the MCP must issue proper notice of the upcoming primary election, including clear details on the date, venue, and time, to both Mumba and all relevant stakeholders.
According to the statement released by Mumba’s lawyer, Soko, the party should also guarantee neutrality in the process, starting with the exclusion of the Regional Chairman of the North-South Region from playing any role in the election.
“We believe the Regional Chairman of the North-South Region will not play any role in the fresh election given his obvious bias against our client,” Soko stated.
This demand follows the court ruling that nullified the previous primary election results for the constituency in question, citing irregularities and procedural violations.
In response to the legal letter, MCP Deputy Secretary General Gerald Kazembe confirmed that the party will respect the court’s decision and is currently making arrangements to conduct the fresh primaries as directed.
Kazembe assured party members and stakeholders that the MCP remains committed to democratic principles and will ensure the rerun is conducted in a transparent and credible manner.
The dispute underscores the growing tensions within political parties as Malawi approaches the September 2025 general elections, with primary contests often serving as critical battlegrounds for influence and representation.
Observers note that legal challenges of this nature could impact party cohesion and public perception, especially when internal disputes become highly publicized in the media.
As the MCP prepares to comply with the court directive, attention will be on whether the fresh primary elections address concerns of fairness and restore confidence among party supporters in the affected region.
The party has not yet disclosed the exact timeline for the fresh primaries, but insiders suggest that consultations are underway to finalize logistics and meet the legal requirements within the shortest time possible.
With less than two months before the national polls, the outcome of this internal election could play a significant role in shaping MCP’s electoral fortunes in the region.
