Mutharika gives back US Green card

President of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Peter Mutharika has renounced his US Green Card days before handing in his presidential nomination papers.

Mr Mutharika was a holder of US green card, an issue that risked his candidature.

One of the conditions of participating in the election was that the individual to contest any position in the elections should not owe any allegiance to a foreign government.

The Government has openly said it is going to block Mr Mutharika (pictured) from contesting because he was holding a green card.

Minister of Justice Fahad Assani had said that by holding a green card and paying taxes in the United Stated of America it was obvious that Mr Mutharika’s allegiance was to two countries.

Malawi Electoral Commission said they were consulting government on how to handle the green card issue.

It was obvious that the Commission could have been consulting the Attorney General and Minister of Justice on the green card issue.

ALSO RESIGNED

Mr Mutharika has also surprised many when he announced his resignation as a member of parliament.

Mr Mutharika, however said he is going to explain later the reasons behind his resignation as a member of parliament.

Meanwhile one of the two independent presidential aspirants in the forthcoming May 20 elections, Mr Damiano Ganiza, stunned Malawi when he cycled about 60 kilometres and for eight hours from Zomba district to Blantyre to collect his nomination papers from the election commission.

Mr Ganiza, a farmer from Willy Village, Paramount Chief Chikowi’s area, is among 18 presidential candidates.

At least 16 political parties have collected nomination papers. Mr Ganiza is expected to present his nomination papers on February 11 at 11am in Blantyre after meeting several conditions, including paying over $2,000 (Ksh172,000) nomination fees. “I am confident I will be President of this country and I will meet all the requirements,” he said.

He is going to present his nomination papers on the same day Mutharika and other aspirant president of United Independence Party (UIP) Hellen Singh are going to present theirs.

Malawi Congress Party (MCP) president Lazarus Chakwera will present his form on Tuesday while United Democratic Front (UDF) torchbearer Atupele Muluzi on Wednesday. Mark Katsonga of People’s Progressive Movement (PPM) and Kamuzu Chibambo of People’s Transformation (Petra) are also expected to present on Wednesday.

It is yet known when President Joyce Banda would present her nomination papers.