By The Forum
His rivals woke up at daybreak. His opponents had their documents ready. His fellow contenders arrived on time at the National Assembly. And by the time the Clerk of Parliament, Fiona Kalemba, began the process for the election of Speaker, everything was in order, except for Mulanje Central legislator Kondwani Nankhumwa.
Nankhumwa, who had also expressed interest in the position of Speaker of the Malawi National Assembly, reportedly was late with his documents after the nominations had closed.
Kalemba, who presided over the election, said Parliamentary Standing Orders allow only four members to be nominated for the position. Kalemba said there was nothing that could be done once nominations had been sealed.
Frustrated by the turn of events, Nankhumwa criticized the process as “undemocratic.”
Meanwhile, newly elected Speaker Sameer Suleman struck a unifying tone in his acceptance speech.
“I am deeply humbled and profoundly honoured by the confidence that this August House has placed in me to serve as Speaker of the National Assembly,” Suleman said. “I accept this responsibility with humility, gratitude, and unwavering commitment to uphold the dignity, integrity, and constitutional authority of this House.”
The 52nd Session of Parliament will officially open on Friday, with President Peter Mutharika, whose Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) leads the chamber, presiding over the ceremony. The event marks the start of the First Meeting of the National Assembly and the 2025/2026 Mid-Term Budget Review.
