Maravi

MMD is looking for popular candidate, says Namulambe

MMD is looking for popular candidate, says Namulambe
By Allan Mulenga
Wed 11 Apr. 2012, 13:29 CAT

GABRIEL Namulambe says MMD is only looking for a popular candidate with a national appeal. In an interview on Sunday, Namulambe, who is MMD chairperson for elections, said if the MMD was to bounce back into government, it should be headed by a person with a national appeal.

"The person who should aspire for the party presidency must not only claim popularity amongst the party cadres of MMD, but must claim popularity amongst all the electorate including those that will not be delegates. These people who are going to be delegates at those provincial conferences are going to have a feel of what the people are saying on the ground. If Namulambe is not popular, he is not known in Western Province or he is not known in Lusaka, he can't emerge victorious. The thing is that we are looking forward to a person with a popular demand by not only the party cadres, but also the members of the general public," he said.

Namulambe urged aspiring MMD presidential candidates not to engage in corrupt activities.

"My warning to the delegates is that they must not vote for money. They must vote for a person of quality, a person who is able to deliver. In my view, it is not possible for anyone to use money because they don't even know the electoral college, so how can they spend money on people they don't know?" he said.

Namulambe called for unity among aspiring MMD presidential candidates after the provincial polls slated for May 25, 2012.

"Let there be unity amongst the party officials. The elections must not divide us, but must unite us. Even those that are going to lose in the elections, they must rally behind those that are going to be elected," he said.

And Namulambe allayed fears by some senior party members that the holding of the provincial conferences would not reflect the wishes of the people.

"That is going to reflect the wishes of the people because each

province is going to have three commissioners and each candidate is going to appoint an election agent. The ballot boxes will be the same and voting will be done on the same day and at the same time. You should not expect any problems because it will not influence the results of other provinces. The popular candidate is going to emerge victorious. Let those people who are interested in these positions work hard in campaigning. They have got access to all the party leadership at provincial, district and constituency level," said Namulambe.

Labels: GABRIEL NAMULAMBE, MMD

posted by MrK @ 3:02 PM