MCP celebrates hat-trick of by-election victories

Main opposition Malawi Congress Party (MCP) has shrugged off divisions over the leadership  style of Lazarous Chakwera to score a hat-trick of by-election gains , retaining Mchinji West constituenct and two wards in Dedza and Lilongwe.

MCP won in Mchinji where DPP invested a lot in the campaign which President Peter Mutharika also visited  to add weight of support to his deputy Saulos Chilima, who has been going in Mchinji West with Minister of Civic Education as well as high ranking party officials.

Crippling unemployment, economic turmoil and corruption scandals in government  led voters to punish the DPP in areas where MCP gained victories,; Mchinje West,  Bembeke Ward in Dedza and  Kaliyeka Ward in Lilongwe South East Constituency .

Saving some pride, the DPP won in  Sadzi Ward in Zomba Central Constituency and Bunda Ward in Kasungu.

“It signals to everyone that the political pendulum in our country is swinging,” MCP director of elections Maxwell Thyolera told Nyasa Times.

He said voters have delivered a stinging rebuke to the DPP.

Thyolera said DPP attempted to fraudntley win the by-elections but their party machinery were awake not to lose Mchinji parliamentary seat.

He said theMCP victory against DPP which used tax funds for campaign will be a major psychological blow to President Mutharika and the ruling party.

“We have shown that despite some dirty politics against MCP, we are force to reckon with,” he said.

He said the by-elections were a “mini-referendum about the future of Malawi” and that voters have indicated they want change.

The Tuesday’s vote sent a clear message that the electorate cannot be taken for granted.

Despite losing in Zomba, the eastern region, MCP has also shown that it could challenge the ruling DPP  in its strongholds.

MCP  did also make modest inroads in Zomba.