DPP Confirms Regional Allocations for 2024 Elective Convention Amid Criticism
In its statement, the party emphasized that the regional allocations are intended to ensure a fair and national distribution of leadership roles.
LILONGWE, Malawi— The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has announced the regional allocations for key positions in its upcoming 2024 Elective Convention, continuing a resolution passed during the 2018 Convention to ensure equal representation from all regions in its National Governing Council.
However, the decision has sparked criticism from some party members, writes Winston Mwale.
According to a statement released Tuesday by Shadric Namalomba, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, the allocation of positions is designed to uphold the DPP's commitment to being a truly national party, promoting diversity and inclusivity within its leadership structure.
The positions are distributed as follows:
**Southern Region:**
- Vice President
- National Director of Women
- National Organizing Secretary
- National Director of Operations
- National Director of Elections
**Central Region:**
- Vice President
- Secretary General
- Director of Youth
- National Director of International Affairs
- National Director of Political Affairs
- National Director of Protocol
**Northern Region:**
- Vice President
- Treasurer General
- National Director of Legal Affairs
- National Director of Logistics
- National Director of Social Services
**Eastern Region:**
- Vice President
- National Publicity Secretary
- National Campaign Director
- National Director for Economic Affairs
- National Director of Research and Training
The decision to limit certain positions to candidates from specific regions has drawn criticism from Kenneth Bwanali, an aspirant for the position of National Director of Logistics.
The position, which has been allocated to the Northern Region, is one Bwanali has been campaigning for over the past six months.
Reacting to the announcement, Bwanali expressed his frustration, saying, “I have been campaigning for the position of National Director of Logistics for almost six months, and today they just wake up and write this useless and undemocratic memo that the position is for somebody in the Northern Region.”
In a post on his Facebook page, Bwanali further vented his anger: “Mwatidyeradyera ma K2 million athu lero nde muzikatiwuza mbwelera zimenezi. (We paid K2 million nomination fees only to be told this nonsense).”
The DPP is expected to hold its elective convention this weekend.
In its statement, the party emphasized that the regional allocations are intended to ensure a fair and national distribution of leadership roles.
Namalomba urged all aspiring candidates to respect the designated regional quotas to maintain this balance.