The main opposition Malawi Congress Party (MCP) has shifted the date of its manifesto launch to Saturday March 9, 2019 at Crossroads Hotel in the capital Lilongwe.

MCP Publicity Secretary Reverend Maurice Munthali confirmed of the development in a statement made available to faceofmalawi reporter.

According to Munthali, the shift in the date is as a result of Mid Year Budget Statement which is also expected to be presented in Parliament on Friday March 8 2019.

“The Malawi Congress Party had initially arranged to launch its Manifesto on *Friday, 8th March 2019* at Bingu International Convention Centre from 9.00 o’clock in the morning.

“It has, however, come to the Party’s awareness that the 2019 Mid Year Budget Statement will be presented in the National Assembly on the same day,” he said.

He added: “In view of this development and considering that the budget statement is an equally important national event, the Malawi Congress Party has decided to shift the launch of its Manifesto to *Saturday, 9th March 2019* to be held at *Crossroads Hotel* in Lilongwe from 9.00 o’clock in the morning.

“The Party has done so in order to accord this national event the dignity it deserves. Any inconvenience this change may cause is deeply regretted.”

Munthali has since advised all members and all stakeholders who have been invited to grace this auspicious and historic function to be seated in the Sapitwa Hall at Crossroads Hotel by 8:30 a.m.

The manifesto launch is in redness to the forthcoming May 21 tripartite election.