Candidates for Tuesday’s Presidential election in Malawi have ended their respective campaigns during the weekend.
The presidential vote could extend the presidency of incumbent Peter Mutharika. But that is not guaranteed as he faces a tough challenge from other other candidates.
President Peter Mutharika who is 78 years of age came into power in 2014 after winning the presidential election.
Two years earlier his elder brother Bingu wa Mutharika died from heart attack while in power.
Despite promising to deal with corruption just before he became president, Mutharika has faced many scandals.
He is accused of receiving $200,000 from a businessman who was under investigation for a multi-million-dollar deal to supply food to the police.
His tenure has also witnessed food shortages, power outages and an economic crisis. Some have also questioned his health.
I spoke to #Malawi president Peter Mutharika about his campaigns and rumors of his health. He was campaigning in Chigumula area on the outskirts of Blantyre. #MalawiElections2019 pic.twitter.com/jUWRIzZDE8
— Emmanuel Igunza (@EmmanuelIgunza) May 17, 2019
These issues have made it tough for him to win re-election on Tuesday. But the leader of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) told his supporters at a rally that “You can see the developments that I have done across the country with your own eyes.
Let the work of my hands bear witness for me,” he said on the campaign trail as he opened a new road.”
Main challengers
Mutharika’s toughest challenge is coming from Saulos Chilima who was Mutharika’s running mate in 2014.
He became vice-president but fell out with his boss, Mutharika last year and has since exited the ruling party to form his own.
Here’s an earlier interview with UTM’s Saulos Chilima on his campaign and anti corruption crusade. He called for lifestyle audits and removal of presidential immunity. #MalawiElections2019 pic.twitter.com/kpQ0ZIGaqU
— Emmanuel Igunza (@EmmanuelIgunza) May 17, 2019
Chilima, a youthful 46-year-old has now set up the United Transformation Movement (UTM) party to contest the election.
But the main opposition is being led by former evangelist Lazarus Chakwera who is 64 year old.
Chakwera is leading Malawi’s oldest party, the Malawi Congress Party, into the election.
The Malawi Congress Party was in power from 1964 to 1994 during Hastings Banda’s one-party rule regime.
Lazarus Chakwera was the leader of the party during the 2014 elections. He came second to Mutharika during the votes and will be hoping to win this time round.
Source: Africafeeds.com
