Zodiak goofed says MEC chair as Petra’s Chibambo presents papers

Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) chairperson Supreme Court Judge Maxon Mbendera, on Friday took time in his speech to apologise to president of People’s Transformation Party Kamuzu Chibambo over a report on Zodiak Broadcasting Service that he had withdrawn from contesting in the presidential polls as he could not present his nomination papers Wednesday after he had failed to raise K1 million nomination fees.

Mbendera said Zodiak reporter had contacted Chief Elections Officer, Willie Kalonga in an off-record who confirmed  Chibambo’s presentations were cancelled on Wednesday.

He however said MEC did not release information that the failure was due to financial problems.

Mbendera who pointed out that he has known Chibambo- a practising lawyer – for a long time, apologised for the anguish the story cause on him, saying it was defamatory.

MEC chair said the filling of nomination papers on Wednesday failed “not because you did not pay but because the documents were not ready.”

Chibambo was expected to file his nomination papers to MEC officials on the third day of the exercise at the Chichiri International Conference Centre, popularly known as Comesa Hall, in Blantyre but it had to be cancelled.

He was however available to be the last one to file his nomination papers on Friday.

Chibambo said in his speech that Malawi  continues to suffer from a disease called ‘donor aid’ that has affected the development of the country.

Hr also asked voters to reject parties which promote dynasty.

“Look at the party leadership and those running the affairs, it’ all the same family, sisters, brothers and their relatives,” he said.

Two independent presidential candidates, Damiano Ganiza and Sangwani Soko, failed to present their nomination papers, effectively ruling them out of the presidential race.

The number of contestants in the May 20 2014 presidential race reached at 11.

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