By Santos Zefania

Lilongwe, June 21, Mana: The Malawi electrol commission (MEC) has expressed satisfaction as the number of presidential hopefuls who have collected nomination papers ahead of the September 16 general election reaches 13.

The 13 presidential aspirants include the incumbent President Lazarus Chakwera for Malawi Congress Party (MCP); Milward Tobias, Independent; Adil James Chilungo: Independent; Kondwani Nankhumwa for People’s Development Party (PDP), Akwame Bandawe, Anyamata, Atsikana, Azimayi (AAA); Joyce Banda, People's Party (PP); Atupele Austin Muluzi for United Democratic Front (UDF); and Reverend Hardwick Kaliya, Independent.

Other candidates who have collected nomination papers are Arthur Peter Mutharika for Democratic Progressive Party (DPP); Frank Tumpale Mwenifumbo for National Development Party (NDP); Dalitso Kabambe for UTM; Kamuzu Walter Chibambo for People’s Transformation Party (Petra); and Smart Swira: Independent.

MEC confirmed the development in an interview with Mana Saturday, and he further asked the aspiring candidates to do due diligence to ensure that the papers are error free before presenting them to the Commission at Bingu International Conference Centre (BICC).

Mwafulirwa further said for Parliamentary and local government elections, candidates should present their nomination papers at their respective Constituency Returning Office (CRO).

National Initiative for Civic Education (NICE) Trust Programmes Officer, Daniel Malango, has also expressed satisfaction with the increasing number for aspirants in the presidential race.

"The fact that about 13 candidates have collected nomination papers is an indication that democracy has matured in the country, since it entails the right to participate in political affairs in the country,” said Malango.

Malango said NICE is working hand in hand with MEC in conducting civic and voter education exercise and that the organization is geared to reach out to all corners of the country with election information ahead of the September 16 general election.

He further commended MEC for recently beafing up their staff with new commissioners a head of September 16, saying being a constitutionally mandated institution to conduct elections in the country, the Commission has an obligation of ensuring that elections are conducted in a free and fair manner.