Analysts say UTM proves relevance with win of Karonga by-elections:  PP’s loses Zomba seat, UDF reclaims Chikwawa

Political analysts have said  UTM Party of vice-president Saulos Chilima has proved its relevance  after it won a parliamentary seat in Karonga Northwest by-election and its member who stood as independent in Zomba Changalume also winning as his runner-up was also from UTM.

Biziwick Million: Zomba- Changalume MP -elect

On Tuesday, Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) held by-elections in Karonga North West, Ntchisi North West, Lilongwe Msinja South, Zomba Changalume, Nsanje North, Chikwawa East and Nsanje Central constituencies as well as Liviridzi Ward in Balaka West and Chitakale Ward in Mulanje South.

Unofficial results for Karonga Northwest by-election show that UTM Party candidate Felix Katwaff Kaira has won with 9, 537 votes beating Malawi Congress Party’s (MCP) Daniel Mwanyongo Chitonya who polled 9, 207 votes.

Political analysts have said the election outcome is a litmus taste for both the governing and opposition parties.

Unofficial results for Zomba Changalume constituency by-elections  indicate Independent candidate, Biziwick Million – a member of UTM – has won with 4,280 votes and the first runner up is UTM party candidate Jean Cheonga Chilemba with 2,651 votes.

Popular businessman Mahommed Hanif Osman alias OG Isaa comes third on the list with 2,493 votes while Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) candidate, Mary Matiya Muheya got 2,207 votes placing her on fourth position in the race.

People’s Party (PP) candidate, Lawrence Bisika only managed to get 748 votes out of the 13,679 total valid votes.

The seat was vacant after  PP’s legislator Jones Chikalimba succumbed to Covid-19.

Mzuzu University political analyst Chrispin Mphande said the stakes were high for the UTM Party to prove its relevance in the by-elections “and they have just done that.”

Political Science Association president Joseph Chunga said the elections, coming after the euphoria of the June 23 2020 Fresh Presidential Election has settled, present a better gauge on where parties are standing.

He said the outcomes indicates the strengths of parties like UTM as a coalition partner of MCP, but also DPP as main opposition, as to whether it is still holding on or we should expect its strength to go.

Chunga said the defeat of DPP in Nsanje central and North which MCP has carried the day is  “a big loss.”

United Democratic Front (UDF) candidate Sam Khumbanyiwa, whose win in Chikwawa East Constituency in 2019 was also nullified in court, was reportedly set to reclaim his seat.

The UDF candidate, according to unofficial results,  has won with 7 584 vote`s followed by  Ginford Mabo Maulidi of DPP who polled 5 065 votes, Foster  Thipiwa (MCP) had 4 712 votes, UTM’s Fyson Dancai Mainjeni got 154 votes.

According to Malawi Electoral Commission Director of Media and Public Relations Sangwani Mwafulirwa, the commission will announce the official results of the by-elections on  Thursday April 1.
“The official results will be announced from the main tally centre to be set at Bingu International Convention Centre in Lilongwe,” said Mwafulirwa.

In the previous two by-elections held since the May 2019 polls, independent candidates won two seats in Mangochi West and Phalombe North, while MCP also won two in Karonga Central and Lilongwe North West constituencies.

UDF also won in Mangochi North East Constituency and Makhwira South Ward in Chikwawa.--Additional reporting by Jordan Simeon-Phiri,Leah Malimbasa-MEC Stringer 

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F. B.
F. B.
2 years ago

Izi zinali zoziwika kuti malo ambiri awina amene ali mboma voti ya kwathu kuno timavotera 1. Wakwathu 2.wamboma nthawi zambiri chifukwa cha wrong conception imene tili nayo komanso tizalowera kuti angabweretse chitukuko ndi wakwathu kapena amene ali mboma yekha. That’s why we fail to go far.
This was created wrong time ago they is need
To get rid of it. Those who can change this it’s the government by sharing developments equally osatengera kuti kwathu or uku kwa opposition.
Anthu tikusankha anthu olakwika nthawi zina because ndi akwathu or ndi amene ali mboma.

Frank Musicha
Frank Musicha
2 years ago
Reply to  F. B.

I totally agree. Bwanji osamangobweretsa chitukukocho kuti dzikoli lidzipitako patsogolo; mudaamuwona kwa yani mp akubweretsa chitukuko. Akagula ka ambulasi koma asatero kutiboola nako mmimba!

Sikusinja
Sikusinja
2 years ago

Some analysts leave a lot to be desired. How is winning one out of seven prove relevance. In Zomba people voted for an individual not a party. If UTM was relevant in Zomba and had support, why has their candidate failed twice there.
Overall since last year there have been 12 elections for MPs and UTM has won only 1 seat. Make a proper analysis. MCP has defeated two DPP big names in the South. Thats something to applaud.

Lego
2 years ago
Reply to  Sikusinja

I am even surprised with his analysing.The guy they are applauding stood as an independent but they are still saying for UTM.I think the analyst is a UTM supporter.

The Khumalos are racketeering
The Khumalos are racketeering
2 years ago
Reply to  Lego

Ndiwa MCP inu simukumudziwa?

guest
guest
2 years ago
Reply to  Sikusinja

Very good points bwana

Maziya
Maziya
2 years ago

Congratulations to UDF for refusing to die.It’s about time.Don’t worry You will be remembered.

JFK
JFK
2 years ago

Just advise UTM to work hard, the results show that they are not relevant at the moment. The UTM candidate lost in Zomba Changalume. The candidate who won was voted on an independent ticket, and therefore UTM cannot capitalise on his win.

UTM is very far from winning a national election.

OBAMA
OBAMA
2 years ago
Reply to  JFK

But the guy is UTM member go ask him. It only shows that the UTM flouted on the primaries and just imagine if it was Bizwick only. the seat is for UTM here. whether you hate UTM or Not. It has come to stay.

Nakaka
Nakaka
2 years ago

UDF is lacking a visionary and energetic leader to revamp the part, otherwise some of us still remember when over 18,000 temporary teachers were recruited to launch the 1994 Free Primary Education of which I am one of them and through hard work all these years most of us are now well qualified secondary school teachers. via Domasi College, Mzuni, Chanco and even outside Malawi, Uganda to be specific. Otherwise congrats to MCP and UTM.

guest
guest
2 years ago
Reply to  Nakaka

a very gud point…not politically biased

Max
Max
2 years ago
Reply to  Nakaka

Its all to do with not listening to what the grassroot wants. Most loses are because of imposing candidate instead of the local communities decide who stands on a party’s ticket. The fact remains, the people decide to vote for an independent utm candidate.

guest
guest
2 years ago
Reply to  Max

akukamba za UDF candidate yemwe wawina osati za UTM zikuenda mmutu mwanumo

Mlala
Mlala
2 years ago

UTM is a small party

monosile
monosile
2 years ago
Reply to  Mlala

But relevant

Zimwanda
Zimwanda
2 years ago
Reply to  monosile

Usipa is also relevant where there is chambo. Koma ndi usipa mbwenu

Sindyeka Dekhani
Sindyeka Dekhani
2 years ago
Reply to  Mlala

Mpake kumapikusana ndi UDF!!

Max
Max
2 years ago
Reply to  Mlala

But its helped mcp form government. Give praise where it is due.

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