* The ability to declare the rightful winner is in the hands of MEC and we have full confidence in the Commission about the outcome
* MCP believes that concerns it raised over alleged irregularities in the ongoing tallying of results from the elections will be addressed accordingly
* As Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) expresses confident in the September 16 election outcome
By Sheminah Nkhoma & Patience Longwe, MANA
Malawi Congress Party (MCP) running mate, Vitumbiko Mumba says the party is ready to accept results of the September 16 elections as the Democratic Progressive Party’s leader and former Head of State is leading in the partial announcement of the September 16 presidential election.
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At a press briefing in Lilongwe yesterday, Mumba said Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) is doing a commendable work to ensure free, fair and transparent results, adding: “The ability to declare the rightful winner is in the hands of MEC and we have full confidence in the Commission about the outcome.”
Mumba further said MCP believes that concerns it raised over alleged irregularities in the ongoing tallying of results from the elections will be addressed accordingly: “We have submitted our concerns to MEC as we are committed to ensuring transparency and accountability in these elections.”
He stated that all allegations of electoral malpractice are serious and action will be taken against those found guilty.
Meanwhile, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) director of elections, Jean Mathanga expressed confidence that the voice of Malawians through the vote will be fulfilled.
She made the remarks in Lilongwe yesterday at a press briefing and commended MEC for conducting elections fairly: “We are confident that Malawians wishes will be fulfilled. We appreciate MEC’s fair conduct of elections and hope they will continue this good work.”
DPP vice-president for the Northern Region, Jappie Mhango expressed satisfaction with how MEC is managing the election result process and urged party supporters to remain calm and allow MEC to conduct its work according to rules.
Mhango confirmed that DPP has received all results from all polling stations and according chairperson, Justice Annabel Mtalimanja, MEC has so far determined results from 13 councils out of 36 from — Neno, Salima, Ntchisi, Zomba City, Karonga Town, Likoma, Kasungu Municipality, Luchenza Municipality, Mwanza, Chitipa, Rumphi, Mulanje and Mzuzu City Council.
In the partial results announced on Saturday and Sunday, Justice Mtalimanja reported that Chitipa registered 86,980 voters of which a total of 68,131 turned up, representing 78.3% with 1,173 being void votes (1.7%) — thus putting 66,958 valid votes with DPP’s Peter Mutharika leading with 35,827 votes, incumbent Lazarus Chakwera with 13,936 and Dalitso Kabambe with 9,035 with former President, Joyce Banda’s People’s Party (PP) earning 4,743.
Mutharika also leads in Rumphi which had 94,936 registered voters with 67,982 turning up (71.6%) with 1,390 being void (2.0%) percent — thus having 66,592 as valid from which Mutharika earned 29,957, Chakwera 24,486, Kabambe 6,627 and Joyce Banda 3,066 votes.
Mulanje had a total of 279,761 registered voters from which 231,763 turned up (82.8%) with 5,251 being void (2.3%) — thus having 226,512 as valid from which Mutharika has 207,596, Kondwani Nankhumwa of the People’s Development Party (PDP) with 6,777 and Kabambe 2,579.
From the 76,629 registered voters in Mzuzu City, 56,776 turned up (74.1%) with 967 being void (1.7 percent) — thus having 55,809 as valid from which Mutharika earned 25,077, Chakwera 15,013 and Kabambe 12,782.
Karonga Town Council had a total of 26,702 registered voters of which 18,235 turned up representing 68.3% with 463 being void votes (2.5%) — thus 17,772 as valid votes from which Peter Mutharika earned 8,971 votes; Lazarus Chakwera 4,388 and Dalitso Kabambe 3,413 as top three.
Zomba City registered 57,250 voters, of which 45,185 turned up representing 78.9% with 619 being void (1.4%) — thus 44,566 as from which Mutharika earned 35,536; Kabambe 3,990 and Chakwera 3,472.
A total of 141,799 registered voters were recorded in Ntchisi of which 104,757 turned up (73.9%) with 2,923 being void (2.8%) — thus 101,834 being valid: 81,635 for Chakwera, 11,365 for Mutharika and 2,671 for Kabambe.
In Salima, Mutharika got 60,830 votes, Chakwera 49,443 and Kabambe 3,673 from the 123,115 valid votes casted. The district registered a total of 186,585 voters of which 128,351 turned up (68.8%) with 5,236 being void (4.1%).
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Neno also has Mutharika leading with 36,607, Chakwera (1,370) and Kabambe with 1,024 from the total of 41,433 voters that turned up (81.5%) with 770 being void (1.9%) percent.
Likoma had 8,664 registered voters but 6,937 turned up (80%) with 143 being void (2%) — thus 6,794 being valid votes from which Mutharika earned 4,177; Chakwera 1,817; Kabambe 485.
From the total of 25,645 registered voters in Kasungu Municipality, 18,614 turned up (73%) with 373 being void (2%) — thus 18,241 being valid votes with Chakwera earning 8,818, Mutharika 7,831 and Dalitso Kabambe 1,019.
From a total of 10,237 registered voters in Luchenza Municipality, 8,455 turned up (83%), 127 were void votes (2%) — thus 8,328 being valid votes with Mutharika earning 7,547, Chakwera 336 and Dalitso Kabambe 232.
Mwanza had 51,045 registered voters but 38,011 turned (74%), 1,210 being void (3%) — thus 36,801 were valid votes from which Mutharika earned 30,576; Chakwera 2,228 and Kabambe 2,203.—Additional reporting by, Duncan Mlanjira, Maravi Express
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