By Burnett Munthali
One of the aspiring candidates in the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) primaries for Mzimba Central Constituency, Vitumbiko Mumba, has taken a bold step by seeking legal intervention from the High Court to halt the planned primary elections in the area.
Mumba, who also serves as the Minister of Trade, filed a petition at the High Court requesting an injunction to stop the party from conducting the primaries until certain concerns are addressed.
According to the court application, Mumba wants the MCP barred from holding the primary election using delegates other than those who were duly recognized and approved during a party meeting held on 17 January this year.
He argues that it would be unfair and unlawful for the party to proceed with the primaries using a revised list of delegates which, according to him, includes individuals who are not qualified or were not part of the initial approval process.
The minister has further asked the court to restrain the MCP or any of its delegates from continuing the process of approving names of delegates who are to cast votes in the primaries without the inclusion or participation of himself or his appointed delegates.
Mumba, who is competing against Adamson Kuseli Mkandawire for the MCP ticket in Mzimba Central, has been vocal in his dissatisfaction with the current list of voting delegates, insisting that some of them have no legitimate basis to participate in the elections.
He has maintained that his concerns are not only about fairness but also about upholding democratic principles and internal party integrity, which he believes are being compromised in the current setup.
The legal challenge signals growing tension within the ruling party’s candidate selection processes, especially in constituencies where incumbent figures or strong contenders face internal resistance.
The High Court case was initially filed in Lilongwe but has since been transferred to the High Court registry in Mzuzu, closer to the constituency where the dispute is centered.
The outcome of this legal challenge could set a precedent for how political parties in Malawi handle internal disputes regarding delegate selection and primary election transparency.
Observers have noted that the case also brings to light broader issues of intra-party democracy and the need for clearly defined electoral guidelines within political party structures.
As the case unfolds, all eyes will be on the Mzuzu High Court to see whether it will grant the injunction and whether the MCP will be compelled to review its processes before holding the primary elections in Mzimba Central.
The MCP has yet to issue an official response to the legal challenge, but sources within the party indicate that internal consultations are underway to address the matter.
Meanwhile, political analysts believe the development could impact the party’s image ahead of the 2025 general elections, especially if perceptions of unfairness and internal discord persist.
Vitumbiko Mumba’s decision to seek judicial redress reflects a growing trend in Malawian politics where aggrieved party members are increasingly turning to the courts to resolve internal political disputes.
