MEC declares MCP winner of 5 out of 6 in by-election

Celebrations broke out in pockets of Malawi after the electoral body declared officially results in Tuesday’s by-elections in three constituencies and three Local Government wards  which opposition Malawi Congress Party (MCP) has won  in five out of the six areas.

Results declared by Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) chairperson Jane Ansah at Sunbird Mount Soche Hotel in Blantyre on Wednesday afternoon confirmed that voters rejected the governing Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), whose campaign was spearheaded by Campaign Director Kondwani Nankhumwa and President Peter Mutharika also addressed rallies in the three constituencies last week.

Ansah, a judge of the Malawi Supreme Court of Appeal, said  MEC regrets that there were some reported incidences of violence during the campaign period in Nsanje-Lalanje.

“We thank God that those incidences were contained. We are pleased to report that even though MEC received the above mentioned complaints, the political environment remained calm and conducive enough for free, fair, transparent, inclusive and credible elections to take place,” said Ansah.

She congratulated the winners, advising that they have “a social contract”with the people and that they should  go out to implement it.

“I urge you to celebrate with responsibility. For those who have not made it, I say there can only be one winner and this time it is not you,” said Ansah.

MEC official results indicated that MCP won hby-elections were held in Nsanje Lalanje Constituency and Ndirande Makata Ward in Blantyre Malabada Constituency in the Southern Region and Lilongwe City South East and Lilongwe Msozi North constituencies as well as Mtsiriza Ward in Lilongwe City West Constituency  but lost to DPP the  Mayani North Ward in Dedza North Constituency in the Central Region.

Ansah said MCP candidate Lawrence Sitolo won in  Nsanje Lalanje with  a total of 25,958 registered voters, a total of 14,840 registered voters turned up for polling and he scooped  8,775 votes  ahead of DPP’s Gladys Ganda , widow of the area’s departed legislator Sam Ganda who got  5,453 votes and independent candidate Winnie Wakudyanayebwith 194 votes.

In Lilongwe City South East, MCP candidate Ulemu Msungama got 6 722 votes of the 11 616 cast against 3 597 for his closest challenger, DPP’s Reuben Ngwenya. Other candidates, Ellen Kadango and Christopher Manja had 311 and 891 votes, respectively while 95 were null and void.

Former president Joyce Banda’s running mate in the May 20 2014 Tripartite Elections, Sosten Gwengwe, was declared winner  in Lilongwe Msozi North Constituency  with 10, 015 votes  defeating DPP’s Bruno Daka who polled 2,559 votes.

In Ndirande Makata Ward, MCP candidate Thom Litchowa was declared duly elected with 969 votes against 910 for DPP’s Thom Lita, 363 for Ishmael Chilambo of United Democratic Front (UDF) and Mathews Shawa of People’s Party (PP) had 114 votes, according to results announced by Ansah.

In Mtsiriza Ward, results announced  indicated MCP candidate Kinwel Frank Zikaola got 921 votes compared to 825 for Julio Benedicto Jumbe of DPP and 169 for UDF’s Brighton Golombe Edward.

In Mayani North Ward, DPP candidate won the seat with 2 390 votes against 1 690 for MCP candidate and 219 for UDF candidate.