MEC chief elections officer Sam Alufandika said the body accepted the nomination papers of incumbent President Peter Mutharika of the Democratic Progressive Party, Vice President Saulos Chilima (United Transformation Movement), Lazarus Chakwera (Malawi Congress Party), Atupele Muluzi (United Democratic Front), former president Joyce Banda (People’ Party), Cassim Chilumpha (Tikonze People’s Movement), John Chisi (Umodzi Party), Peter Kuwani (Mbakuwaku Movement for Development) and Hardiwick Kaliya (independent candidate).
He said the ten were chosen from a field of 21 who filed nomination papers with the electoral commission.
Requirements for qualification to be a presidential candidate include payment of a K2 million (about US$2,800) non-refundable deposit and signatures of voters from all of Malawi’s 28 districts.
In addition all candidates should be Malawian citizens.
“We conducted a detailed analysis of nomination papers to ensure that they comply with the eligibility criteria to contest for the office of President during the elections,”Alufandika said.
He said those whose nomination papers were rejected did not meet most of the requirements.