PP declares Nangozo winner over Chikwemba: Msonda, Kamlepo awaits verdict
The ruling People’s Party (PP) has upheld Zomba Central constituency primary elections results, declaring Patricia Kainga Nangozo as official winner despite earlier disputes by her opponent and party’s official, Joseph Chikwemba.
Kainga on Saturday January 4th trounced Chikwemba in primary elections in the Eastern city but the party’s deputy administrative secretary refused to accept defeat and immediately lodged complaint with National Executive Committee (Nec) disputing the elections results.
PP acting Secretary General, Paul Maulidi disclosed during a news briefing in Blantyre that the party dismissed Chikwemba’s complaints as invalid after thorough investigations.
Maulidi said: “There was no case; his (Chikwemba) complaints were not valid enough for us to call for a re-run. Therefore, we officially declare Kainga Nangozo as legit winner”.
Maulidi said decision to retain Kainga Nangozo as winner was arrived at by the party’s executive committee, which scrutinized Chikwemba’s arguments.
There were controversies on Monday when the party withheld the results while Kainga Nangozo took to the streets in Zomba Town with her followers in celebration that she had triumphed during the primary elections.
And Chikwemba told Nyasa Times on Monday he was confident of being PP candidate for Zomba central constituency by any means necessary.
Maulidi also disclosed that the party has upheld Zomba-Nsodole primary elections results where Jennifer Chilunga had won.
Meanwhile, Maulidi said the case concerning Rumphi East primary elections results in which the party’s deputy Publicity Secretary, Ken Msonda is disputing Kamlepo Kalua’s triumph was still under review.
Msonda is disputing the results, arguing the polls were not democratic, free and fair.
He was together with television sports personality, Saulosi Thindwa and Margret Nyamuziya on December 23, 1213 trounced by controversial politician, Kalua.
“We are still reviewing the case involving Rumphi East as well as other cases from several constituencies. In Zomba Lusanjala, the primary elections will probably be held this coming Sunday. We will have a re-run in Mangochi East because of what the party noted there. But overall, the primary elections are progressing very well,” said Maulidi.
The party is expected to hold primary elections in the southern region this Sunday January 12.
