Felix Mutati’s Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) chairperson for elections Gaston Sichilima says his party will in the coming weeks commence elections for party structures across the country in readiness for the convention expected to be held next year.

In a statement issued to the media, Sichilima stated that Mutati’s MMD faction would hold elections in structures starting from branch level all the way up to the provincial level.

He explained that the process would culminate into a National Convention, which would be held anytime next year.

“I want to put it on record that time has come, as we have been mobilising the branches and our members in general throughout the country, I want to announce that all structures need to be ready for elections from the bottom: you are talking about the branch; you are talking about the constituencies; you are talking about the wards and we go to the provincial,” Sichilima stated.

“These elections are to enable us to be ready for the convention, which is going to come in any time in 2020. This is meant to ensure that all structures have got officials at any level. These elections are from bottom to top because when we talk about the convention, we are talking about who to choose in the top leadership.”

And Sichilima stated that the party remained intact under Mutati’s leadership.

He insisted that there were no factions in the party apart from the ongoing wrangles with the other faction party president Nevers Mumba.

“I want also to appeal to MMD members and the general public that MMD has no factions, it is just one MMD and currently, we all know that the president is Felix Mutati who was elected at the last convention. I am appealing to all members to be ready for these elections; it is coming from the bottom to the top. I also want to say that let’s not go into confusing the membership, if you are not ready for these elections, pave way for those who can come and provide leadership in MMD,” stated Sichilima.