LILONGWE--The governing People’s Party (PP) has taken the lead among all political parties in Malawi as it prepares for its national convention next month.

On Tuesday PP started its regional elections in Liwonde which Paul Maulidi, the party’s chair for regional elections, says were open to all its genuine members.

Since PP came to power in April following the unexpected death of Pres Bingu wa Mutharika, it’s become fashionable for members of other parties, especially those from the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), to identify with PP.

And it’s not a secret that there’s conflict between the Johnny-come-latelies to the PP and those who were there when the party was in opposition and was given a hard time by the DPP and Mutharika.

But Mauludi said people members are being allowed to freely choose their own leaders. After Liwonde - representing Eastern Region, the home of Pres Joyce Banda - the next stop is Natural Resources College in Lilongwe for the Central Region; then the elections will move to the North where people will vote on Monday.

PP is yet to announce the date for its convention but Mauludi said it will be made soon.

This will be the first time since 2003 when a ruling party held a national convention. In 2003, it was the United Democratic Front that was in power. The country’s oldest party, the Malawi Congress Party, last held its convention in 2005. Malawi's next general elections will be held in 2014.
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©2012 The Maravi Post. Reproduction authorised, with usual acknowledgment.