BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)–The chairperson for Malawi Electoral Commission, Justice Dr Jane Ansah Sc on Friday declared Malawi Congress Party (MCP) candidate, Peter Dimba the winner for the by-elections that took place on Thursday, January 30, 2020 in Lilongwe south constituency.
Speaking during the announcement that took place at Amaryllis hotel in Blantyre, MEC chairperson has thanked people from Lilongwe south constituency for the peaceful elections.
The polls in the area failed to take place as a result of the death of UTM candidate, Agness Penemulungu prior to 21 May elections. Like Kasungu north west constituency, MEC decided to conduct by-elections in the area on November 5, 2019 but were called off due to violence in the area.
Dimba has won with 11230 votes followed by independent candidate, Patson Mthyoka; 1800 votes, Frank Mazizi of DPP; 1662 votes, Samson Phinifolo, independent; 200 votes and Julius Chombwe of MMD with 50 votes.
Out of 32 459 people who registered, only 15 237 turned out for polling representing 46.97% voter turn out, of which 295 votes were null and void representing 1.95%.
In an interview with Ansah, she has urged political leaders and all stakeholders to take part in such elections as they are as important as any other elections that take place in the country.
MEC chairperson has also asked women to participate in such elections.
Out of the 5 contestants in Lilongwe South constituency, there was no female contestant who participated in the by-elections.
“There is a law that demands equal representation between males and females. However, for this law to be active, it will require us all as malawians to encourage women to take part in holding leadership positions in our communities,” Ansah said.
She has also asked all political parties to be active throughout the years and not only during election period.
Ansah added that there is a need to come up with a law that can deregister political parties that are too silent but this is up to Malawians as it is not the role of MEC to make laws.
