Malawi Main opposition defeats ruling party

Unofficial results indicate that the main opposition party in the party Malawi Congress MCP has won Mchinji West by elections beating the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) with a wide margin of 10,686 against 4,806.

On Tuesday, Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) conducted by-elections in Mchinji West Constituency, Bembeke Ward in Dedza, Kaliyeka Ward in Lilongwe South East Constituency, Sadzi Ward in Zomba Central Constituency and Bunda Ward in Kasungu.

“MCP’s Jepther Mwale was voted by 10,686 people followed by DPP’s Stephano Kamwani with 4806 votes and an independent candidate Kuwani 673 votes while Arnold Lyson of Peoples Party (PP) got 114 votes,” the results compiled at Kamwendo tally centre in Mchinji west show.

The results also indicate that 218 votes were declared null and void.

Mchinji West constituency fell vacant following the death of MCP Member of Parliament, Kanjira Banda.

Mwale has won the seat amid controversy which arose between DPP and MCP over revelation that Personal Assistant of Malawi’s Vice President, Saulos Chilima, Moses Kuchingale was caught impersonating as MEC official by wearing MEC attire and name tag.

But MCP special electoral observer team managed to take him out and later he sought protection from Mchinji Police since angry opposition party members had wanted to take the law into their own hands.

In Dedza Bembeke, MCP Wilfred Sangala has won by 2626 votes against DPP Betty Maluwa who got 1240 votes.

In Kasungu Philimon Theu of DPP has won by 619 against 297 votes of Jonathan Tembo of MCP.

In Lilongwe Kaliyeka ward,Mr Banda of MCP has 761 votes against DPP candidate who trailed by 641 votes.

And lastly in Zomba Sadzi ward DPP candidate Mercy Chaputula has won by 400 votes.