Tight race in Mzimba poll

Unofficial results in the two Mzimba by-elections in northern Malawi on Wednesday morning showed the ruling People’s Party (PP) candidate Raymond Nkhata leading in the South West Constituency while in the Centre, independent candidate Mavuto Kachali was turning the tables.

By 2.25am, Nkhata had polled 9 822 against independent James Nthara’s 4 641.

In Mzimba Central, by 3.30am, results from 24 centres out of 32 showed  Kachali  was leading, with PP’s Aaram Beza closely following.

Candidates from other parties such as the former ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) trailed far behind.

Chancellor College’s associate professor of political science Blessings Chinsinga, in an exclusive interview Wednesday morning, said the possible win of the ruling PP in one constituency would give the party confidence as it approaches the 2014 general elections.

He said it would be sad for the governing party to lose a seat.

Chinsinga argued PP has gone through difficulties, both politically and economically, and winning both constituencies would have given the party a relief.

He said PP’s recent blunders such as the Executive arrogance where President Joyce Banda declared she would continue travelling amid criticism not to; failure to have the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) director in office and the recent controversial transfer of beds from Mponela to a Mzimba hospital, did not endear Malawians to the party; hence, victories in both constituencies would save the party a face.

Chinsinga said before the 2014 polls, it is a must for the PP to sort out the economic mess if it is going to be taken seriously.

He, however, warned that PP’s loss in one constituency would act as a wake-up call and it would underline the fact that Malawians have not been satisfied with the manner the PP is handling the economy and governance issues.

Dr. Augustine Magolowondo, another political analyst, said PP’s win in the two constituencies would give the party confidence but cautioned the ruling party against being complacent.

Said Magolowondo: “In a by-election, resources are concentrated in one area, while in general elections, it’s wider and difficult to make it easily.”

The Electoral Commission (EC) has since expressed satisfaction with the voting process in the Mzimba by-elections, saying it was peaceful and with a good turnout.

EC electoral services committee chairperson commissioner Emmanuel Chinkwita Phiri, after closure of the voting on Tuesday, said they did not receive any reports of violence or disruptions of the polling process. He commended voters and parties involved for conducting themselves peacefully against a background of conflict in campaigns.

The EC is due to announce official results in due course. —With additional reporting by Frederick Ndala, Edwin Nyirongo and George Singini