By: Lloyd M’bwana
The main opposition Malawi Congress Party (MCP) has narrowly sustained it supremacy at central region for scooping two wards while the governing Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) retained a constituency seat in the eastern region in low turnout by-elections.
On Tuesday, December 22, Malawi Electoral Commission (Mec) conducted the by-election to fill the vacancy in Zomba Chisi Constituency (eastern region) following the death of Peter Chizalo Mangulenje (DPP Member of Parliament) on September 23, 2015. In Matope Ward, Mchinji West Constituency the gap was created by the death of John Msumatiza (MCP Ward Councilor) on July 26, 2015 while Ngala Ward, Lilongwe Msozi North Constituency fallen vacant following the then MCP Ward Councilor Misheck Khomba resigned on personal grounds on September 8, 2015.
The by-elections results show a big margin between the votes cast for DPP candidate for Zomba Chisi Constituency, Mark Botomani who had 3,019 votes and MCP candidate, Brazio Namakhuwa’s 208 votes. However, there was narrow margin of votes cast in Matope Ward, MCP’s Auleriano Kalemba scooped 2,444 votes against Benedicto Tsele of DPP who amassed 2,017. While in Ngala Ward, MCP’s Master Chazama outsmarted DPP’s Regina Sululu with 1,381 votes to 717 votes respectively.
When announcing the results Mec Chairperson, Maxon Mbendera raised concern over the dwindling number of political parties contesting in the by-elections despite the country having over 50 registered parties as only three parties participated namely MCP, DPP and People’ Party (PP).
“Now the number of political parties contesting is at three. This is raising questions that; if a party cannot contest in a national elections, cannot take part in by-elections, what elections will they participate in? Do we still need their existence in the political parties register or we should find a formula of deregistering such parties so that we remain with the active ones? There is a debate around this and I hope the scenario here will also contribute to the conclusion of the said discussion”, worried Mbendera.
In reacting to the outcome of the results, MCP’s Spokesperson, Dr. Jessie Kabwira commended MEC for running transparent and accountable elections for the first time as they were not only recording the figures but writing letters as well that provided documents that helped to provide records for the elections.
On the narrow margin for votes cast in central region where MCP is its base, Dr. Kabwira agrees but accused the governing DPP of using maize distribution as campaign tool which the party lodged the complaint to MEC but trashed the accusation saying the maize distribution was done by World Food Program.
“I do agree that the margin for Mchinji and Ngala was tight, but we need also to know that DPP is the party that is using maize as a campaign tool to woo votes. They (DPP) were distributing maize during elections and also giving people money. We have even engaged them on this and would tell you on the broad day light that for them
Campaigning is using anything as long as they win”, defends Dr. Kabwira.
Meanwhile, political analyst Mustapha Hussein warned MCP that must work on its recruitment strategies and do more to woe votes outside its central region stronghold while at the same time safeguarding it.