MCP leads in Mwasa Ward by-election

By Yohane Symon & Isaac Salima:

Unofficial results for the Mwasa Ward by-election in Mangochi North East Constituency indicate that Malawi Congress Party candidate Stewart Mwase is on course to winning Tuesday by-election.

The unofficial results indicated that he amassed 1,073 votes, representing 50.7 percent of the total valid votes cast.

Democratic Progressive Party candidate Kida Adam was coming second with 493 votes while United Democratic Front candidate Assam M’bwana is unofficially on third position with 476 votes.

The unofficial results indicated that People’s Development Party candidate Lynah Teddie got 57 votes while Umodzi Party candidate Andalason Madi got 17 votes.

The Malawi Electoral Commission (Mec) is expected to officially announce the results today.

Out of the 3,797 registered voters, a total of 2,139 people voted, representing 56.3 percent voter turn-up.

Out of the 2,139 cast votes, 2,116 were valid and 24 votes were declared null and void.

In an interview during polling Tuesday, Mec Commissioner Richard Chapweteka said the commission was satisfied with the voter turnout in Mangochi, especially considering how previous by-elections went.

The by-elections in question were characterised by low voter turnout.

In Chilaweni Ward, Blantyre, vote counting continued late into the night.

Parties that contested in the by-election included the Democratic Progressive Party, People’s Development Party, Muviwachilungamo Revolutionary Party, Leadership With Compassion Party, United Democratic Front, Malawi Congress Party and others.

In a statement released Tuesday, Mec spokesperson Sangwani Mwafulirwa said official results of the by-elections would be announced Wednesday.

“Kindly be informed that the Malawi Electoral Commission will announce the official results for the Mwasa and Chilaweni wards by-elections on Wednesday, 24 July 2024, at the Main Tally Centre located at the HHI Secondary School Hall in Blantyre. The ceremony will start at 3pm and all guests should be seated by 2.30pm,” Mwafulirwa said.