By Vincent Gunde
Malawi Congress Party (MCP)primary elections are facing electoral irregularities and favoritism where it has been proved that cabinet ministers and majority of parliamentarians are being elected through a rigged ballot.
The way how some cabinet ministers and parliamentarians have been elected, left a lot to be desired they are giving way to independents to have an added advantage to win the 16th September, 2025 elections in districts which are dominated by the MCP and taken as its base.
Kasungu, Dowa and Ntchisi districts which are regarded as no-go districts to other parties of which majority of people do not choose a person but a symbol of the Black Cock in the elections, have proved it all that independent candidates will find their way in to win the 16th September, 2025 elections.
Ministers, Simplex Chithyola Banda and Khumbize Kandodo-Chiponda, are bracing themselves for harder times as independent candidates are going to face them in a repeat of the primary elections, in Dowa Ngala, stone throwers had to end the elections in tears for two times.
In Ntchisi, ballot papers had to be whisked away from the angry voters during the counting of votes for safe custody at the Ntchisi Police Station and two contesting candidates spent the whole day there guarding the ballots so that they should not be tampered.
In Dowa Central Constituency, the will of the people was not respected, Darlington Harawa emerged the winner to the dismay of the voters who many throw their votes to Annie Chibwana who was poised to win the elections and it is not surprising that she is disputing the results of the elections.
In Dowa North Est constituency, one of the contesting candidate who resigned from the MCP hours after a shocking defeat to Sam Dalitso Kawale, youthful Pemphero Phiri, has filed a letter to MCPs Director of Elections Dr. Elias Chakwera condemning the elections results.
In the letter dated 23rd April, 2025 Phiri has expressed his strong objections and condemnation of the primary elections results held on 22nd April, 2025 at Mtenthera school ground saying he witnessed first-hand irregularities that compromised the integrity of the electoral process.
Phiri said during the voting process, one of the candidates was seen splashing money to delegates at the voting centre, this blatant act of bribery undermines the principles of fair play and democracy saying he collected evidence including video footage that clearly shows the distribution of money to delegates.
He said he was disturbed to learn that a monitor for one of the candidates was threatening the constituency committee suggesting that they should influence delegates to vote for a particular candidate with a warning that failure to comply, would result in removal from the party.
“These actions constitute a serious breach of electoral ethics and party regulations, given the evidence in my possession, I respectfully request that the results of the 22nd April, 2025 primary elections for Dowa North East be rejected,” reads part of the letter.
Phiri has urged the MCP Director of Elections to take immediate action to investigate these allegations and ensure that the electoral process is conducted fairly and transparently saying the integrity of the party’s electoral process is at stake, and it is essential that they uphold the trust of their members and the people they serve.
