CHIKWAWA: The ruling Malawi Congress Party(MCP) has maintained the party’s earlier stand saying its Parliamentary candidate for Chikwawa East constituency, Foster Thiphiwa never lost during the 2019 tripartite elections but that his victory was taken away from him due to a number of widespread irregularities that were identified during the elections.
Speaking when he conducted some whistle-stop tours at Kasokeza and Bodza Primary School ground on Sunday, Kondi Msungama who is the MCP campaign team leader for the by-elections in Chikwawa, said the party is grateful to the judiciary for vindicating it's stand by ordering a re-run in the area saying the party is now ready to regain its victory.
Msungama who was accompanied by other MCP Executive Members namely Ceaser Fachi and Charles Joshi during the whistle stops, therefore called on people in the area to vote for Thiphiwa saying he has got an advantage to develop the area since he is now standing on the ruling party's ticket.
"As a party, we feel vindicated with the court's decision which has ordered a re-run in this area. This is what we have been saying all along. Our candidate should have won those elections but his victory was taken away from him. Now that the courts have set the record straight on how the upcoming by-elections should be handled, we are very optimistic that our candidate shall carry the day.” Said Msungama.
On his part the MCP candidate for the area, Foster Thipiwa said he is always sad to note that the area has lagged behind in terms of development. He mentioned the construction of additional health facilities, school brocks, and boreholes in the area as some of the development projects he would like to undertake once elected as an MP.
He particularly mentioned the construction of a police unit in the area and the construction of Thabwa - Livunzu Fatima road as his development priorities for the area.
Thipiwa who came third in the 2019 court's annulled Tripartite elections is battling out with former Parliamentarian for the area, Rodrick Khumbanyiwa of UDF, and his DPP counterpart Ginnford Maulidi.
Other candidates competing for the Chikwawa East constituency are Fyson Dancan Manjini of UTM and Phoebe Mtembenuzeni, independent.
MEC is scheduled to conduct by-elections in the country's seven constituencies and two wards on the 30th of March, 2021.
By Elijah Phompho, MEC Stringer
