Mhango, Mkandawire Defend Their Seats as MEC Announces Rumphi District Winners

The Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) has officially announced the winners of the September 16 Parliamentary Elections for all four constituencies in Rumphi District, confirming a mix of continuity and change in the area’s political landscape.

In Rumphi North, former Cabinet Minister Jappie Mtuwa Mhango of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) successfully defended his seat, extending his dominance in the constituency. Similarly, in Rumphi West, Yona Adadawiza Mkandawire, who contested as an Independent candidate, retained his parliamentary seat, solidifying his influence as one of the strongest independent politicians in the Northern Region.

Rumphi Central was reclaimed by Enock Chihana, President of the Alliance for Democracy (AFORD), marking his return to the National Assembly as the party seeks to revive its historic foothold in the north. In Rumphi East, AFORD also registered victory through Florence Shapiro Khimbi, signaling the party’s steady growth and renewed relevance in the district.

With these results, Rumphi District has delivered a diverse representation to Parliament, featuring two AFORD legislators, one DPP lawmaker, and one Independent. Political observers say this outcome reflects both the loyalty of voters to tested leaders like Mhango and Mkandawire, as well as AFORD’s gradual re-emergence in its traditional stronghold.