The number of contestants for the presidency of opposition Malawi Congress Party (MCP) is growing with former Chief Justice Lovemore Munlo throwing his hat in the ring, bringing the number to seven.

MCP Administrative Secretary Potipher Chidaya confirmed the development Monday on Zodiak radio.

“Yes we have received his papers. He sent a representative to deliver the nomination papers. So far we have received four nomination papers,” said Chidaya.

Munlo stepped down from the bench last Friday.

Others contesting for the position include incumbent leader John Tembo, Secretary General Dr. Chris Daza, head of Malawi Assemblies of God Church Dr. Lazarus Chakwera, former Farmers Union of Malawi Felix Jumbe,  former MCP Director for Political Affairs Easton Kakhome and Jodda Kanjere.

The MCP convention will held in five days in the capital Lilongwe. Malawi is expected to go to the polls in April next year and other major political parties already held their conventions and chose their torchbearers. They are the ruling People’s Party (Joyce Banda), United Democratic Front (Atupele Muluzi) and Democratic Progressive Party (Peter Mutharika).