Three 2014 Presidential candidates, among them former President and People’s Party (PP) founder Joyce Banda and Malawi Congress Party (MCP) President Lazarus Chakwera, did not turn up for a State luncheon at Sanjika Palace in Blantyre.

Mutharika on Thursday afternoon hosted the 2014 presidential candidates who contested in the May 20 elections to a luncheon at Sanjika Palace, but three candidates did not turn up for the event.

Not present were: PP’s Banda, MCP’s Chakwera and National Salvation Front party president James Nyondo.

Meanwhile, Mutharika is expected to make a statement and answer some questions from the press before posing for a group photo with the eight presidential candidates.