Bu Suleman Chitera
Dedza, Malawi — Ishmael Onani, the parliamentary candidate for Dedza-Mlunduni, has formally requested a recount of the constituency’s election results. He says he is not satisfied with the unofficial tally from the district centre, alleging that some figures may have been tampered with.
What Happened
On the night the results were streaming into the Dedza District Tally Centre, Onani and his rival Musa Phiri visited the centre to submit their formal petition (a letter of complaint, “kalata ya madandoa”). Onani says certain vote totals appear to have been changed, and despite already complaining to local authorities, he is escalating the matter to Annabel Mtalimanja, Chair of the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC).
The Dedza District Commissioner, Oscar Kumwenda, confirmed that the complaint has been submitted and will be handled through the appropriate channels.
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Unofficial Count: Who’s Ahead
According to the latest unofficial results for Dedza-Mlunduni:
Moses Kunkuyu Kalongashawa of the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) is leading with 13,448 votes.
Ishmael Onani (Independent) is in second place with 11,557 votes.
Why This Matters
Tight margins often lead to heightened scrutiny: with just a few thousand votes separating Onani and Kunkuyu, the accuracy of every polling station’s results becomes crucial.
Recounts and complaints are a normal part of electoral processes in many democracies, helping to ensure transparency and public trust.
For Onani, retaining or gaining the seat depends on verifying those unofficial numbers.
What Comes Next
MEC must review the complaint and, if merited, conduct a recount in the affected polling stations or the whole constituency.
Any change in votes could alter who is declared winner depending on whether the margin changes.
The outcome will likely set a precedent for how similar disputes are handled in other constituencies.
Final Thoughts
The Dedza-Mlunduni case highlights the importance of transparency in election reporting, especially where margins are close. As Malawi moves toward final official results, rival candidates, voters, and the MEC are watching closely. A fair process now can help reinforce faith in the democratic system.
