By our Staff Reporter
Members of the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) in Dzalanyama Constituency, Dedza District, have expressed concern over the party’s silence regarding the release of primary election results, with some alleging that it has fueled suspicion and heightened speculation.
The primary elections, held on 28 April 2025, were conducted to select MCP candidates for the September 2025 general elections, including parliamentary hopefuls and councilors. However, sources who requested anonymity after casting their votes revealed a tense incident involving alleged ballot tampering.
Reports indicate that unidentified people attempted to set fire to ballot boxes using petrol shortly after voting at Chiphalika Community Day Secondary School in Njonja, Dedza District. Police, who responded swiftly to the scene, prevented the destruction of the ballots.
The seized ballots were then secured and transported to the Dedza District Council Hall for counting, following consultations with MCP officials.
One concerned member lamented, “We are disappointed with how things are unfolding. We’ve been waiting for the party officials to announce the results, but no official statement has been made yet.” Another added, “All we want are answers. How can the elections be conducted last week and still, no results have been declared? It feels like they’re trying to silence democracy and the will of the people. But that won’t happen.”
Unofficial results suggest that shadow MP Godfrey Chisoni has won the primary, with 416 votes. A source involved in monitoring the election, requesting anonymity, reported that Chisoni defeated Morris Chikafa, who garnered 283 votes, while incumbent MP Filippo Chinkhondo received 270 votes. Other candidates, including Gregory Mike Madeya, with 25 votes; Oliver Njira, 16 votes; Kelvin Kapenda, 7 votes; and Jordawe Khuzeni, 5 votes, trailed behind.
Furthermore, it is believed that one individual involved in the alleged arson attempt is a DJ linked to Chinkhondo’s campaign, though this has not been confirmed.
The MCP has yet to issue an official statement confirming the final results. Party officials have promised to make a formal declaration once investigations and verifications are complete. Attempts to reach key officials, including the presiding chairperson Eddie Mombera and party spokesperson Jessie Kabwira, were unsuccessful, as their phones went unanswered despite multiple calls.
This incident has raised serious questions about the integrity of the electoral process in Dzalanyama, with many residents awaiting the party’s official results, hopeful for a transparent and fair outcome.
Meanwhile, the party’s Secretary General Richard Chimwendo Banda said the MCP is committed to ensure intra-party democracy and unity ahead of the general elections.
Chimwendo Banda was speaking at a political rally at Mkukula Primary School ground in Lumbadzi, Lilongwe where he pointed intraparty squabbles related to primary elections saying the party is currently resolving all issues.
