Mia-quake! MCP wins in south Malawi by-elections

The ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP)  has suffered a humiliating by-election defeat in itys stronghold of southern region after losing Nsanje Lalanje parliamentary seat  and Ndirande Makata Local Government ward to Malawi Congress Party (MCP) with its new catch  Sidik Mia stamping his authority .

Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) says it will announce official results on Wednesday, October 18, 2017.

But unofficial results collected from the MEC tally center shows  in Nsanje Lalanje, MCP’s candidate Lawrence Sitolo polled 8036 votes against Gladys Ganda of DPP who amassed 3449 – the seat going to MCP.

In Ndirande Makata Ward, MCP candidate Thom Litchowa obtained 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 102 votes, according to results filed at the ward tally centre.

MCP’s imminent victory in Nsanje Lalanje could widely be attributed to efforts of its new recruit, businessperson and former Cabinet minister Mohammed Sidik Mia, who is regarded as an influential figure in the Shire Valley districts of Chikwawa and Nsanje. This is the first time since the 1999 General Elections that MCP is set to win a seat in the Southern Region.

The by-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 and Mayani North Ward in Dedza North Constituency in the Central Region.

Speaking early morning of Wednesday, Mia said from Lower Shire that MCP’s performance in the southern region by-elections is a sign of things to come.

“MCP listened to thousands of voters on the doorstep. This is a starter, we need the main meal which is the general elections, bring it On,” he said.

Mia said MCP will go further to “reconnect with voters and break with the failed political consensus.”

He said by-elections have showed “Malawians are ready for change”.

Crippling unemployment, economic turmoil and corruption scandals in government  led voters to punish the DPP in areas where MCP gained victories.