Malawi’s ruling PP passes litimus test, DPP concedes defeat
Malawians woke up to a new reality on Wednesday as they welcomed Raymond Chatima Nkhata as the first ever elected parliamentarian to win on the ruling Peoples Party (PP) ticket.
The bye-elections in Mzimba Central and South West constituencies also revealed that Malawians are no longer interested in the former ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).
Chatima Nkhata a former auditor with Malawi Rural Finance amassed 9 822 votes and his nearest rival Independent James Nthara got 4 621 while DPP candidate Lonard Chavula got 3 450.
“We have made a statement that there is no other party in the North than PP. People are happy with the leadership of Joyce Banda,” said South West Campaign Chair Frank Mwenefumbo after all centres were tallied and Malawi Electoral Commission declared official results.
Nkhata was a no show as wild celebrations with songs like ” A mama mpando ngwao“, “A Nkhata ulendo ngwautali” and “Amai Chiongolero” being sang the whole morning.
Nthara only appeared at Edingeni tally centre at 1.30am before disappearing forever. His highest score was at his home centre where he amassed 692 votes against Nkhatas 220.
The elections billed as litimus test to President Joyce Bandas rule will demean critics of Banda and his deputy Khumbo Kachali as though the official party candidate Aram Beza lost, an independent who stood after losing party primaries Joseph Mabvuto Kachali took the Mzimba Central seat.
Kachali won against Beza by 1 800 votes, while DPPs Owen Mkandawire was a distant third.
“The challenge was that Kachali did well in West Bank and also balanced up in East Bank. Beza as good as he was his Rumphi tag and the history of his Uncle Professor Beza who was once MP for the area made him an easy target. DPP simply has no chance in the North,” said Janaury Kamatani, a veteran politician at Euthini.
PP spokesman Hophmally Makande said: “PP is very happy, excited and grateful to the people of Mzimba.
“Hon Kachali [who won as an independent] has roots and traces from PP throughout.”
Makande said: “This time PP is party of the moment.”
Meanwhile, DPP spokesman Nicholous Dausi said the party has conceded defeat
“We have lost will grace and dignity. It’s a lesson from us. We will go back to the fdrawing board and find the way forward,” said Dausi.
“Politics is a continuous struggle. We will make sure that the lessons learnt are applied collectively,” said Dausi.
The by-elections in two constituencies were held Tuesday, October 9, this year.
Mzimba South West constituency fail vacant following the assume of office by Khumbo Kachali as Vice President of the Republic. Mzimba Central constituency became vacant after the death of the late Prof. Donton Mkandawire.
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