MCP adopts Dedza Central East primary results

The ruling Malawi Congress Party (MCP) has resolved to adopt the Dedza Central East constituency primary election results in which former Ministry of Health public relations officer Joshua Malango emerged the winner on Friday.

The party’s regional chairperson Patrick Chilondola confirmed the resolution made at a meeting the party held on Saturday.

MCP withheld the results on grounds that there was a fracas during the vote counting, according to a statement issued by John Paul, the elections team leader.

The primary election was organised ahead of a Parliamentary by-election following the death of former independent legislator McStain Mkomba.

“The [fracas) was contrary to the set procedure which was agreed upon with candidates prior to the voting exercise, and also contrary to the party’s code of conduct which all the candidates signed,” reads the statement issued on Friday.

It further says that “an investigation will be conducted and the party leadership will provide guidance on the way forward.”

However, in an interview on Saturday, Chilondola said the party agreed that the results should stand.

He confirmed that Malango, a journalist, won the election, having reportedly amassed 369 votes against his closest challenger Bonnex Malunga’s 116. There were eight contenders in the election.

“I was not there during the elections but the reports I got from those on the ground are that Malango won,” he said.

Malango said he was pleased with the victory. He  thanked the party’s members for the endorsement.

“Let me thank party members of MCP in Dedza Central East Constituency for trusting me to represent them as their candidate in the forthcoming by-election.

“As you know MCP manifesto is all about uplifting people’s lives from the grassroots level. When elected I will help our President Dr Lazarus Chakwera to foster development in the area,” he said.