Lilongwe, 26 August 2015: The recent poll victory by the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and its junior partner UDF in the just ended Local Government by-elections enhances the political sentiment that the party remains strong across the country and would appear to be increasing its strangle hold.
The party scooped three of the five wards which were being contested. The wards taken by DPP are Luchenza in Thyolo by Hendrix Alex Supuni, Zomba Central by Elia Douglas, and Khwawa in Karonga by a Mr Katambika.
Political observers and analysts agree that the poll victory is an indication that the ruling party still remains relevant to Malawians in terms of grassroots connection and ideology.
Chancellor College political analyst, Blessings Chinsinga says with this victory, the DPP cements its reach and influence across the regional divide.
“Coming from contentious issues like Federalism, it is very evident that Malawians are now focusing more on who is going to bring development to the country than other issues. Under that thought-pattern Malawians are giving DPP a vote of confidence in fulfilling their development needs,” he says.
Chinsinga, who months ago was part of the survey that doubted Peter Mutharika’s hold at the grassroots, adds that this election victory shows that the ruling party is strategizing well on the ground and people are responding.
“They are doing their homework right to rectify all the branding and positioning setbacks they might face among the electorate. Should they continue doing so, they might be sweeping all these by-elections along the way,”
Another analyst, Augustine Magolowondo, sees the poll results as a precursor towards subsequent electoral activities especially the 2019 General Elections.
“These dispersed polls shape the political landscape in interesting ways. Remember that late Bingu managed to scoop six constituencies during by-elections in 2007 only to cement it by a landslide victory in 2009. We might be seeing a voting pattern that might lay itself bare at the 2019 polls,”
Before the polls, some misinformed analysts doubted DPP’s chances especially in Mzuzu, Zomba and Karonga which they said belong to the Peoples Party (PP). Ironically the former ruling party failed to claim any of these seats as the Chibanja Ward in Mzuzu was taken by Malawi Congress Party (MCP).
As usual Kenneth Msonda instead of looking inward blamed the failures of the dying Peoples party on MEC. Claiming they cannot be trusted.
