PP backtracks on Karonga Central re-run: ‘Mwalwanda the elected one’
The ruling People’s Party (PP) has changed its decision to conduct a re- run of primary elections in the volatile ‘Benghazi’ Karonga Central Constituency, Nyasa Times understands.
The party had scheduled to conduct the elections on Saturday January 11, 2013 following incessant complaints from losing candidate Frank Mwenifumbo that the victor Dr Cornelius Mwalwanda, who is also sitting MP, had flouted several rules in the party’s code of conduct for elections.
Instead the party will only conduct a re-run on two centres in the Nkhata Bay North West Constituency on Sunday 12, January 2013.
Sources told Nyasa Times that the Party’s decision was mainly influenced by a resolution from the Chiefs Council meeting held on Thursday in Karonga.
Paramount Chief Kyungu and Senior Chief Karonga co-chaired the heated meet where Mwalwanda and Mwenifumbo, were in attendance with their entourages.
PP Provisional Chairperson for the north Reverend Christopher Ngwira confirmed the party’s change of heart saying it wanted to maintain peace in its ‘family’.
Ngwira said Mwalwanda remains the victor and the party’s candidate for the constituency in the 2014 tripartite polls.
“We have swept everything under the carpet. Whether the complaints from Mwenifumbo were validated or not is not an issue now. We want to forge ahead with activities in our electoral calendar and we do not want to waste time with trivia,” he said.
Mwenifumbo accepted the party’s judgement with reservations.
“I have been vindicated. The Chiefs’ Council also validated my allegations that there was breach of regulations and rules and that this caused violence,” he said.
Mwalwanda could not be reached for comment.
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