Malawi’s ruling PP wins Mzimba South West: Embarrassed DPP claims rigging
Malawi’s ruling People’s Party on Tuesday were heading to first electoral victory in Mzimba South West constituency where voting in by-election were held.
In Mzimba Central an independent candidate but an associate of PP has won.
But opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) facing embarrassment for losing the twin-by-election accused the ruling party of using rigging tactics.
At the time of positing the story, votes counted from almost two-thirds of the polling centers in Mzimba South West shows that PP candidate is a clear winner.
From 26 out of 30 polling centres in Mzimba South West Raymond Chatima Nkhata has a lead of 9 356 while Independent James Nthara has 4 658 votes.A DPP candidate was trailing on third position.
In Mzimba central, unofficial reports also showed independent candidate Joseph Kachali was heading to victory.
Results from 24 centres out of 32 showed independent candidate Mavuto Kachali leading with 7, 326 votes, while PP’s Aaram Beza follows closely with 6, 000 plus votes.
DPP candidate took an early lead at Kapiri polling centre but was outclassed in Ethuleni and Mbalachanda polling centres among others.
Others performed poorly included Aford’s Enita Njolwa, Independent Kandodo Mvula and NARC’s Bonfacio Ngulube.
Meanwhile, DPP regional governor for the North, Reverend Christopher Ngwira, accused Malawi’s Vice-President Khumbo Kachali of influencing voters on the polling day.
Ngwira claimed Kachali, who is also Malawi’s ruling People’s Party (PP) vice-president (Operations), slaughtered two cows for voters and distributed money to people at polling centres, saying that “assisted voting.”
The Vice President’s spokesman Kondwani Munthali said DPP should be ready to accept the loss instead of always arguing, saying parties should lose honourably.
Official results will be announced by Malawi Electoral Commission on Wednesday.
Mzimba Central fell vacant following the death of Prof Donton Mkandawire, a DPP MP while Mzimba South-West following the election of incumbent MP Khumbo Kachali to the vice-presidency.
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