Two candidates, Laston Saidi Katole of Nsanje Central Constituency and Finason Brown Thengulo of Chikwawa East constituency have withdrawn their candidature in the forthcoming by-elections.

The development comes a week before Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) holds by-election on March 30 this year.

Speaking to YFM, MEC director of media and public relations Sangwani Mwafulirwa said the duo’s nomination fee has since been forfeited but could not disclose the reason why the two have withdrawn from the race.

“Their names have been deleted from the ballot paper,” Mwafulirwa said.

When asked, Thengulo said he has withdrawn from the race on medical grounds.

“Yes, I indeed wrote MEC notifying them about my decision due to health reasons,” he disclosed.

However, YFM could not hear from Nsanje Central’s Katole as his phone did not get through.