MEC probes MCP candidate, illegal voting

Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) chairperson Chifundo Kachale says the electoral body is investigating a complaint that Malawi Congress Party (MCP) candidate Willard Gwengwe was going around polling stations during yesterday’s Dedza Central by-election.

Addressing the press in Dedza after the close of voting yesterday, he said MEC will also probe claims that an unregistered person voted in the by-election.

Kachale, a judge of the High Court of Malawi, said MEC has received a complaint from one of the contesting parties about Gwengwe’s conduct of going around polling stations. He said MEC will look into the issue and determine whether it has impacted the outcome of the election.

He said: “We will assess the evidence on that issue and make a determination whether that conduct this impacted the result of the poll.”

Kachale also said the electoral body is investigating how a woman identified as Judith Banda voted when she did not register. Immediately after she voted, another Judith Banda turned up at the polling station and it transpired that the first person was not registered as a voter.

Police arrested the imposter, but Kachale said MEC is also doing its own investigations to understand how the procedures were conducted.

The MEC chairperson also lamented the continued low voter turnout during by-election, noting that about 23 to 25 percent of the 47 713 turned out.

In an interview, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) monitor Harry Amon said it was surprising that Gwengwe went around polling stations and was not arrested.

The Dedza Central Constituency seat fell vacant after former legislator Daniel Chiwere died in July this year.

Three candidates, namely Gwengwe, Andrew Kowedza of DPP and  independent Jacob Kaumphawi tussled in the trace. Unofficial elections results last evening put Kaumphawi ahead.

MEC director of communications Sangwani Mwafulirwa said the official election results will be announced today.