No time-frame for holding convention - Mulongoti

No time-frame for holding convention - Mulongoti
By Patson Chilemba
Tue 09 Nov. 2010, 04:02 CAT

THERE is no time frame towards the holding of the MMD national convention, Mike Mulongoti said yesterday. And Mulongoti asked MMD vice-presidential aspirant Enoch Kavindele to be more honourable by not contesting any further elections because he had been contesting and losing since the UNIP days.

In an interview, Mulongoti, who is MMD chairman for elections, said it did not matter whether or not the MMD convention would be held this year or next year.

He said the MMD was currently conducting elections at the lower organs of the party. Asked if there was a time frame regarding the holding of the national convention, Mulongoti said: “No there is no time frame. As soon as we are ready, we shall hold it. As long as it is held, it’s okay. These are voluntary; they are not paid members in the party, except for national secretary. Whenever it becomes possible, it can be done.”

Mulongoti, who is also works and supply minister, said people could not be pushed to hold conferences.

“You must understand that they have got their own commitments. They have got jobs. You can’t go to them and punish them. Punish people you don’t pay! It is not possible,” Mulongoti said.

“It doesn’t really matter as long as we come out with the outcome that we want, it doesn’t really matter. As far as we are concerned, our constitution says we must hold a convention every five years. So as long as we hold it within the five-year period, it’s all right. It doesn’t matter whether we hold it a week before general elections.”

And Mulongoti wondered how many times Kavindele would continue contesting for the elections.

“How many times is he going to contest as vice-president and president? Is it a lifetime preoccupation that every time there is an election, he must contest either as vice-president or president? Stop when you lose. That is more honourable,” said Mulongoti.

“How many times is he going to contest, starting from UNIP? He should ask himself. He started contesting in UNIP time. He can’t go on forever contesting.”