MCP scoffs EIU’s report predicting victory for DPP: ‘Chakwera may win 2019 elections’
Main opposition Malawi Congress Part (MCP) has downplayed a new country report for Malawi released by London-based Economic Intelligence Unit (EIU) of The Economist Group which says President Peter Mutharika may have an edge over the opposition in 2019 elections, saying it is not reflective of reality on the ground.
EIU, an internationally acclaimed risk and forecast think-tank, has said it expects Mutharika and the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) to secure re-election in the 2019 election but noted public discontent of economic hardships which is increasingly causing dissatisfaction among citizens.
MCP deputy spokesman Ezekiel Ching’oma said the EIU cannot in anyway determine the outcome of the next year’s Tripartite Elections but their projections are clearly indicating MCP is on its way to form government and Chakwera to be victorious.
The EIU—in its latest forecast report for Malawi generated on January 14 2018—sees MCP leader Lazarus Chakwera as Mutharika’s biggest threat with his anti-corruption platform.
Chakwera came a close second to Mutharika in the 2014 presidential race in which he swept the Central Region vote while it was the populous Southern Region vote that propelled the incumbent President to victory.
“It is clear in the EIU report that DPP will only win if the opposition is divided,” Ching’oma observed.
He said the state of affairs is completely crumbling and everything, ranging from key sectors of agriculture, education and health, is failing thereby making Malawians face the consequences.
Ching’oma said the major problem in Malawi is corruption.
“If DPP root out corruption and trigger economic transformation, then they may win,” he said
“So, the major challenge is how to root out corruption. Malawians will not give mandate of governing to thieves again,” he said.
According to EIU, Mutharika is likely to win based on the support in the Southern Region even if the electoral system was changed from the current first-past-the post or simple majority to 50 plus-one.
“Amending the electoral process so that the presidential candidates have to win an absolute majority may happen, but even if it does, we still expect Mutharika, who has announced his intentions to stand for re-election, to win,” reads in part the report seen by Nyasa Times.
Ching’oma also said the findings only tips Mutharika to win if MCP fails to resolve internal leadership wrangles and taking advantage because of its popularity in the populous Southern Region, its stronghold.
He played down the prediction, saying the opposition has also been strategising on winning the Southern Region and is already making inroads.
But EIU’s predictions have been welcomed by the DPP with Francis Kasaila, spokesman of the ruling party, saying while the party is at an advantage because of its popularity in the populous Southern Region; it is also making inroads in the Central Region, the MCP’s stronghold.
“The EIU predictions could not be far from the truth. DPP is strengthening,” Kasaila said.
Kasaila also said DPP was busy addressing its shortfalls.
In the run-up to the May 20 2014 Tripartite Elections, the EIU wrongly predicted that the then president Joyce Banda would be victorious but she was voted out after finishing a distant third in both presidential and parliamentary races.
EIU also wrongly predicted that Hilary Clinton would win the United States of America presidential elections but as it turned out, Donald Trump emerged the victor.
A social commentator Henry Makande said: “We can’t rely on the EIU’s report translating into votes because they have gotten it wrong on so many occasions if my memory serves me right”.
He said considering the failed predictions made by the EIU in the run-up to the 2014 elections, the current report can only are described as propaganda.
EIU has also predicted wrongly in Ghana elections one two occasions.
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Where was this EIU before October 2017 by elections?
Anzanu a MBC anayipanga nkhani ngati yotenthatu pa TV, mpaka malopoti awiri kooma osanena kuti m’buyomu a EIU adateronso koma adagwa nayo., Hilary Clinton adalephera, amayi ali muliyendawa naonso adalephera – adangopanira. Ubulutu wa ku MBC ndi umeneo, there is no balancing of news stories. I am not surprised they are all being trained by the Chinese who don’t know how to balance the news, but to toe the government line.
Azimai a kongilesi motsogozedwa ndi Hilda Manjankhosi ankafuna kukodzera mabishopu a chikatolika mkamwa chifukwa chodzudzula Nkhadza za kongilesi. Ngakhale atandithira dumu mkamwa sindingavotere kongilesi. Ndikhulupilira akatolika akufuna kwabwino sangavotere kongilesi.
Komanso akatolika sangavotere mbava.
A Kongolesi adakakamiza bambo anga kuti “tsegula pakamwa” kenako one youth leaguer and a Pioneer man adawalavulira nkamwa. I cannot vote for MCP zivute zitani. Am disgusted with them. They are detestable to me.
Ine olo atandithira Doom mkamwa sindingavotere MCP!
I have looked at the EIU website, there is no such report on their website. But even if there was one, that conclusion would be very dubious. It seems that the so called EIU produces reports favourable to the government in power for very obvious reasons – we just don’t know how much they invoice for the job
KKKKKKKK EIU all predictions made before were false. I do agree they are hunting money and no one can trust that only Afrobarometre with correct predictions period.
But guys, in all earnest, hate or no hate, do you think MCP without grassroot structures in almost half rural Malawi can win an election? Laz has ever been in an illusion and his hope was to buy sympathy, unfortunately this has not worked even after PAC and Livingstonia synod tried to carry him on their backs.
The much tooted talk about corruption can hardly carry weight with high level of illiteracy in Malawi, where over 80% of voter live in rural areas and these are beneficiaries of development in forms of bridges, roads, hospital and other infrastructure. They do food for work, receive free maize in times of hunger, etcetc. So the EIU is saying the truth.
Since Chakweras bee foulmouthing, those of us who victimised Malawians during MCP era will be lining up on TV and Radio to narrate how people were made destitutes by MCP. Already people are shedding tears when Anyoni makes his confession on TV.
Most commentators here are internet literate, the most noisy group. In villages there is no internet. So if you think DPP+PP+UDF+UP won’t be a force to reckon with, you are misleading yourself.
Here in the center many many of us DPP supporters are here.. The reason being Southerners are scattered all over Malawi. Go down south, you can’t get a big dance dancer in a muddy village. This puts us the blues at an edge over the black cock.
Check the EIU’s history, how many predictions by them came true? Too far from the truth.
in 2014 the same predicated that JB would win the elections
What I don’t understand is why MCP always dream of winning the elections yet looking on the ground there is nothing happening to give themselves hope. I asked MCP to tell us on this platform what will make them win this time after failing in five elections? What wrongs have you corrected so far? When it comes to numbers you are banking on Sidik Mia yet the same area was used by Gwanda and failed to make MCP win. The numbers which MCP can get in the south are very much less than what DPP can get in the central region. Look at Ntcheu, Nkhota kota, and now in Salima. Chakwera is failing to close the door in these districts to bar DPP yet he is opening the door wide for DPP to enter even in Lilongwe. Can Chakwera get votes in Chiradzulu the same as what DPP can get in Lilongwe? It is a usual song for MCP to sing ”tiwina” but the guys know the truth that they cannot make it.
Satana, what wrongs did MCP corrected to win 5-1 in October by-elections? Satana answer me.
Are u really a Malawian born or a Malawian made?? MCP will lead Malawi come 2019 election. What is DPP doing that can make them to win,
Let Chaponda go free,
Kill Mbendela,
Nanga Chasowa,
Just to mention but a few……….
Force promises.
Can Mpinganjila, Phoya ndi Lipenga convince people today that APM is a good leader????? Onse omwe adaononga chuma cha boma adzayankha. Chakwela am behind u till 2019.
Practically a bridge is crossed when you reach it and not otherwise!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By calling Chakwera’s administration immature, JZU endorsed APM. This agrees with EIU’s report.
I urge MCP to work hard and retain their leader of opposition position, the highest they can achieve.
Whether EIU ever predicted wrongly or not, DPP and APM will come out victorious in the 2019 tripartite elections. Ask me after May 2019. Ndapita!
Koma inu mukuganiza kuti MCP or LCP can win only with Lilongwe?
This analyst lives in the parallel universe or editorial puff for the corrupt DPP. Too biased not reflecting what’s on the ground. Trump & Hilary scenario is a prime of example of fierce upset in history.
Basi pasavute, MCP 2019 idzawina chisanko mipando yonse 193 idzatenga. Mwamva nonse okonda MCP?
Ndani sakudziwa kuti this is DPP marketing report shoppings at play! The JB style …………………………………….!!
This is a lie from the blues God forbids.