Outcome of DPP convention will be compromised, observes party legislators

Accusations and counter-accusations coupled with allegations continue to engulf former ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), which is expected to hold the first ever elective national convention since it was formed in 2006.

Some DPP legislators are accusing the indaba’s main organizing committee of withholding important information about the convention regarding the venue and delegates that will form the electoral colleges during the conference.

The only available information is dates of the convention which is April 17 to 19 this year, according to the disgruntled parliamentarians.

Earlier, the party indicated that the convention will take place at the Bingu International Conference Centre in Lilongwe in central Malawi before the main organizing committee condemning it, saying the conference centre is small to accommodate over 3,000 delegates.

With 20 days before the convention, the party has not yet identified the alternative venue.

The MPs further claims that the organizing committee, which is also yet to release nomination forms, is planning to slash down the number of the delegates in order to disadvantage certain candidates.

“The organisers are so secretive; imagine they have not even announced the fees each candidate is supposed to pay to contest for party positions.

“As members of the party, we are supposed to be furnished with details regarding the convention in all aspects,” said Lifred Nawena, parliamentarian for Thyolo Thava.

Meanwhile, Ntcheu Bwanje parliamentarian Steven Kamwendo has told the Daily Times that the organizing committee’s conduct is confusing.

“When information that was supposed to be public is being put under a tight lid, you ask yourself under what are we operating. I have fears the outcome of the convention will be compromised,” Kamwendo id quoted as saying.

Another legislator, speaking on condition of anonymity, said “t is laughable that during a radio interview with Zodiak, Dr  George Chaponda, the whole treasurer general would not know where the convention would take place. The big question therefore is; when he is budgeting for transport, which distances does he have in mind.”

However, Nawena urged the party’s top brass to be “as open and democratic as possible to hold a credible and legitimate convention”.

“If we conduct ourselves democratically, the DPP will be the first to have credible candidates for the top most position of president which has not been the case in other papers,” observed Nawena.

On his part, main committee organizing chairperson, Nicolas Dausi said the details regarding the convention will be announced at an appropriate time.

Dausi indicated that the organizers are finalizing recommendations that were made for the betterment of the party.

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