Malawi ruling DPP wins by-polls, add two MPs

Malawi ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has won all two parliamentary seats in the by-elections held on Tuesday in Thyolo East and Blantyre North.

The party has also won both seats in Northern Region’s local government polls-claiming Zgeba Ward in Karonga and Mbalachanda Ward in Mzimba. The other two – Lifupa Ward in Kasungu and Lisanjala Ward in Mchinga- have gone to independent candidates.

The main opposition Malawi Congress Party (MCP) has grabbed the Kandeu Ward in Ntcheu North East Constituency

DPP scored an important victory by holding on to their parliamentary seat in Thyolo East which fell vacant after the winner in the May 20 election, Peter Mutharika, was also declared winner in the presidential polls.

DPP’s Greyson Solomon won the Thyolo East seat while Francis Phiso emerged winner in Blantyre North.

In the local government race, three seats are reported to have also been won by DPP.

In northern region Mzimba Mbalachanda ward, DPP’s  Moses Kamanga won with 2,579 with an independent candidate Davis Chipato Gondwe coming second with 2438 votes.

Speaking after the announcement, Kamanga said he is very happy to emerge winner in the ward following a stiff competition against his other contenders.

“I am very happy because my biggest competitor was being sponsored by the sitting MP thus I feel like I have beaten the MP in this race”, Kamanga said.

District Commissioner for Mzimba Felix Mkandawire said the by-elections were “free, fair and credible.”

Out of the 18484 people who registered in the ward, Palipose John Chipeta of People’s Party (PP) got 326, Davis Chipato Gondwe an independent candidate got 2438 and Moses Kamanga, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) got 2579 respectively.

Meanwhile, DPP secretary general Jean Kalilani commended the voters saying that have with certainty rejected opportunism and meaningless political rhetoric in preference for national development and unity.

The by-elections were marred by voter apathy as in some areas less than half of registered voters turned up to cast their vote.

Political analyst Dr Augustine Magolowondo attributed the low turn out to people’s frustration with challenges that marred the May 20 tripartite elections.

Magolowondo also faulted the Commission for not conducting adequate civic education to woe more voters.—(Additional reporting by Juliet Mlowoka Chirwa)

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