Malawi Congress Party reigns in by-elections
Commissioners during the results announcement -Picture by Capital FM
Major partner in the Tonse Alliance, Malawi Congress Party (MCP) has claimed two local government seats in this week’s by-elections.
Official results of the August 23 Local Government by-elections as declared by the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC), indicate that the MCP has won two out of the three contested wards.
MEC held the by-elections in three wards namely Wenya in Chitipa, Lupembe in Karonga and Shire in Balaka.
According to official results, in Wenya ward, MCP’s Ronald Kayira has won with 1, 663 votes, in Lupembe Elisha Mwaikato Winga of MCP has been declared winner with 1, 642 votes.
In Balaka, United Democratic Front’s (UDF) Dickson Jackson Wasili has won Shire ward with 2, 545 votes.
However, MEC Chairperson Chifundo Kachale has expressed concern with the absence of women and persons with disabilities in the polls.
“It is sad that no woman or a person with disabilities contested in the elections at a time the commission is working hard to encourage women and people with disabilities through among others reducing nomination fees”, said Kachale.
While describing the by-election as free and fair, the MEC Chairperson announced that during the polls, one person was arrested on suspicion that he was issuing hand-outs to the electorate.
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