The Malawi Electoral Commission (Mec) has said Karonga District Local Government bye-elections were administered smoothly, citing the lack of complaints from political parties and candidates.
Voters from three wards of Rukulu and Chilanga in Karonga North West Constituency and Kaporo Ward in Karonga North Constituency thronged polling centres to elect councillors of their choice.
As we went to press, unofficial results indicated that the Malawi Congress Party was in the lead in all the three wards where by-elections took place.
Mec Chairperson Judge Chifundo Kachali said the commission would meet before announcing the official results so that it might have time to address complaints that might be reported to the electoral body.
Kachale was speaking at Mwenitete Centre in Kaporo Ward after closing voting at 4pm.
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Kachale’s remarks come after reports indicate that a vehicle suspected to be from Karonga District Council was smashed in Kaporo Ward on Monday night as some community members suspected that it was carrying people who were out to campaign despite Mec closing the campaign period.
“As at now, we have not received any complaint from anyone. If any, then the commission will meet tomorrow to address them before we announce the results,” Kachale said.
According to reports, the vehicle was blocked by some community members, who demanded keys from the driver.
Northern Region Police Public Relations Officer Maurice Chapola confirmed receiving a report on the incident but said they are investigating the matter.
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“We have received the information and, currently, we are investigating the matter. We, as police, are not going to condone political violence and are going to deal with such issues decisively,” Chapola said.
Meanwhile, Karonga Diocese Vicar General Lorent Dziko, who was one of observers in Rukuru Ward, lamented low turn-out despite candidates wooing people to come in large numbers to vote.
“We still feel that people could have come in large numbers and vote,” he said.
About 68,410 people registered to vote for 21 candidates that were contesting at 87 polling centres in the three wards.
Four are contesting as independent candidates while the remaining ones are from the MCP, Democratic Progressive Party, UTM, Umodzi Party, Alliance for Democracy and the newly registered National Development Party.
