Chakwera against laziness, anger and selfishness in Maharashtra party: Delegates empower him to appoint members of National Election Commission – Malawi Nyasa Times

State President Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera, who had just secured his third and final term as leader of the Malawi Congress Party (MCP), looked cool, calm and confident as he addressed scores of excited delegates from the ornate podium at the BICC auditorium in Lilongwe on Saturday evening, concluding the party’s three-day 2024 electoral conference.

Chakwera, who is automatically the Malayan Communist Party’s (MCP) presidential candidate for the 2025 general election, implored the newly elected National Executive Committee (NEC) members not to be lazy, generate unnecessary anger and be selfish.

The president took his time in criticizing the three vices, stressing that they would affect the party’s “guarantee of victory” in the next general election.

“We must understand that we hold this position to serve a strong ruling party whose members, voters and supporters are happy to join and support. Our grassroots organizations work hard to maintain this support base.

“As NEC members, we too must start getting busy immediately. We must work with each other and with everyone to advance our party’s agenda in a peaceful and harmonious manner so as to continue to be a ruling party that always prioritizes the interests of the people of Malawians,” Chakwera said to thunderous applause and excited cheers.

Voting at the convention began Thursday evening and continued into Friday, with delegates filling all 20 key NEC positions, including president, first vice president, secretary general, treasurer and publicity secretary.

Kezzie Msukwa, chairperson of the conference’s steering committee, said the first and second vice positions could not be filled due to “lack of time” and “other unforeseen circumstances”.

The delegates therefore gave Chakwera, the NEC and the regional chairpersons the authority to “appoint” the remaining posts.

According to secretary general Richard Chimwendo Banda, Chakwera will consult with the NEC and regional chairmen to appoint people based on factors such as gender, region, religion and age.

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