MCP’s Dimba sworn in
Newly-elected Lilongwe South member of Parliament (MP) Peter Dimba was sworn in on Monday at Parliament following a by-election held last month.
The constituency did not have parliamentary elections during the May 21 2019 Tripartite Elections following the death of one of the contestants, Agnes Penemulungu.
Speaking during the swearing-in ceremony, Chief Justice Andrew Nyirenda told Dimba that the position he was assuming was important.
He said: “The oath you have taken today is the ultimate indication of the importance of your position. This oath must, therefore, establish a moral commitment to your job. It is to your constituents that you are accountable to, therefore, I beseech you to remember that.”
In an interview after the swearing-in, Dimba thanked his constituents for voting for him.
He said: “The people of Lilongwe South Constituency stayed for eight months without a parliamentarian yet the law clearly stipulates that the longest they can stay is 60 days. I hope that this is the last time a constituency has been without leadership for over 60 days.”
The by-election had 32 459 registered voters but only 15 247 voted, representing 46.97 percent.
Dimba, affiliated to Malawi Congress Party, amassed 11 230 votes, followed by Patson Kachingwe, an independent candidate who got 1 800 votes. Democratic Progressive Party’s Frank Mazizi had 1 663 votes while Samson Phinifolo, also an independent candidate, got 209 votes. Julius Grecian of Mbakuwaku Movement for Development got 50 votes.
