Kachali vows to remain independent denies rejoining Malawi ruling PP
Winner of the just concluded by-election in Mzimba Central Constituency, Mabvuto Joseph Kachali, has vowed to remain independent till 2014 in spite of speculations from some quarters that he might return to the ruling People’s Party (PP).
Kachali, formerly a PP member, decided to stand as an independent candidate after losing in the party’s primary elections (to Aram Beza) which he claimed were rigged against him.
“It was really a tough race fighting with political heavy weights but God was on my side and I have won from the truth.
“There were a lot of campaign materials which came in from different political parties which were being distributed to the people in trying to oust me, but I have emerged the best,” he said speaking after announcement of results of the by-election in Mzimba on Wednesday.
When asked whether he was thinking of rejoining the ruling People’s Party, Kachali vowed to remain an independent parliamentarian till 2014.
Kachali’s victory with 9,412 votes from 32 polling centres means that he succeeds late Professor Donton Mkandawire, who died last year, as Parliamentarian for Mzimba Central Constituency.
During campaign in the constituency, there were accusations and counter accusations with Kachali claiming the PP primary elections were rigged in favour of Aram Beza while the latter told the electorate he justifiably won the primaries.
Beza himself was Kachali’s runner-up with 8,154 votes from the same number of centres.
Meanwhile, Malawi Electoral Commission Chairperson Anastazia Msosa has declared the by-elections in both Mzimba Central and Mzimba South West constituencies free, fair and credible.
Mzimba South West Constituency fell vacant following the ascendancy to office of the country’s vice presidency by Khumbo Kachali who was parliamentarian for the constituency.
