Anxiety, desperation on running mate
by Rex Chikoko - Sunday, November 30, 2008 - 14:46:25

The delay by presidential candidates to name their running mates in next year’s elections signifies anxiety and desperation to win the election at all costs, political analysts have observed.

While political parties had no problem announcing their presidential candidates it has not been easy for them to choose a running mate. So far DPP, UDF and MCP have named President Bingu wa Mutharika, Bakili Muluzi and John Tembo, respectively, as their torch bearers in next year’s elections. But all of them are yet to name their running mates.

Political analysts observed in interviews the presidential candidates are looking for a running mate who could be an asset and not liability to them to enable them to win the elections.

Pundits have put forward a pool of possible running mates across the parties, namely Henry Chimunthu Banda, Mark Katsonga Phiri, Goodall Gondwe, Mapesi Gondwe, Harry Thomson, Peter Kaleso, Uladi Mussa, Sidik Mia, Ted Kalebe, Dan Msowoya, Prof. Matthews Chikaonda, Louis Chimango, Dr. Cassim Chilumpha, Joice Banda, Friday Jumbe and Loveness Gondwe.

But political parties said they were still consulting on the issue of running mate hence they could not comment on who they would choose as running mate.

Institute for Policy Interaction (IPI) Executive Director Rafik Hajat said for most politicians at the helm of their political parties, 2009 elections will be their last run for a political office. “As a result desperation is creeping in because the stakes are high,” he said.

He observed that the delay in naming the running mate could be a strategy to get a popular person, who they could use to woe support for the political parties.

“There is so much manipulation. Some parties believe they will be in a coalition and want to use the position of running mate as a bargaining tool and there is a big surprise in store. Stakes are high and it will be the last shot for most of the contenders,” he said.

Chancellor College political scientist Blessings Chinsinga said the choice of a running mate is a tramp card for political parties and so they are keeping it close to their chest.

“The 2009 general elections will be closely fought, alliances are expected and the position of the running mate is for bargaining. At whatever cost, these regionally-based political parties need to form an alliance, but knowing the mistrust within the political circles, they would rather work with individuals, that is why they are taking time to name running mates,” he said.

He said parties are targeting influential figures within the political parties that could be running mates and at the same time people who can sustain political parties as the 2009 elections will also be a deciding moment for their future in politics. He agreed with Hajat that most of them will not be in active politics in 2014.

“The forthcoming elections mark the end of the old time politics and the gap between those who have to take over is limited,” he said.

Mzuzu University political commentator Noel Mbowela said the delay in announcing the running mate for political parties is proof of how Malawi’s politics is divided along regional lines.

He said the presidential candidates are not necessarily looking for people based on their individual merit but those who come from the region which would amass a lot of votes in the forthcoming general elections.

“Unfortunately the Central region will remain the hunting ground for running mates for UDF and DPP while MCP will be looking for the running mate in the South. There is no party which is looking for capability in a person but how many votes the candidate can bring.

“It is tricky and dangerous. People like [Uladi] Mussa might be good with the grassroots; he talks the language of the common villager but might not be good in the office. Chikaonda is more of a national figure but he may not get the votes.

“There are people like Harry Thomson and Sidik Mia, their politicking is mature but maybe because of their skin colour they might not be accepted,” he said.

Malawi Watch Executive Director Billy Banda said presidential candidates will be looking for people who are not going to be a threat to them.

“There are a number of capable people in Malawi from all regions, in and outside politics but the issue is a matter of personal convenience to the presidential candidates. That is why all presidential candidates want to pick their own other than members to vote for the running mate. They are afraid of being given a person who could be very ambitious,” he said.

UDF Director of Research Humphrey Mvula said his party was still consulting with various stakeholders on who is going to be Muluzi’s running mate.

“The consultative process is not yet complete. It is a three-pronged consultation; the first is name identification, then acceptability and then supporting research. We have to test the popularity and acceptability of the candidates,” he said.

MCP spokesperson Ishmail Chafukira said the party will announce the name of the running mate before January but said they have not yet started the consultation process.

“When time comes we will announce,” he said.

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