As the day draws near for the elections of new Mayors in three major city councils of Mzuzu, Lilongwe and Blantyre, reports reaching faceofMalawi indicates that six candidates including the current mayor Noel Chalamanda have expressed interest to contest for the position in the commercial capital Blantyre.

BCC Public Relations Officer Anthony Kasunda confirmed of the development in a statement posted on the council’s facebook page.

“Blantyre City Council, like any other City Council in the country, will be holding Mayoral elections in January. Blantyre City Council will hold its elections on 9th January 2017. Only elected Councillors are eligible to contest. But voters include Eight Members of Parliament who are Council Members,” reads in part the statement.

According to information at hand, Chalamanda faces competition from about five contestants including his deputy Wild Ndipo who represents Chigumula Ward.

Another notable candidate is DPP’s Louis Ngalande of Misesa Ward in Blantyre City-South Constituency.

Among the four councillors facing–off for the post of deputy mayor, Songwe Kabaghe of Mapanga Ward said yesterday that he intends to carry on the vision of the Blantyre City Council.

In Mzuzu, William Mkandawire will face the only woman contestant, Judith Chiumia, who represents Choma Ward, Dennis Moyo of Mchengauutuba West and a yet-to be unveiled official candidate endorsed by the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development said through spokesperson Mulhabase Mughogho that there will be no elections at the Zomba City Council since Mayor, Melia Likoswe, is yet to exhaust her two and half year term of office.