Disputed Victory: UTM Declares Phyera Chiumia Winner in Mzuzu South-West Primaries as Msukwa Cries Foul
There are conflicting accounts surrounding the outcome of the UTM Party primaries held today for the Mzuzu South-West Constituency.
According to returning officers Nengezi Mwamadi and Hiweti Mkandawire, who presided over the primaries at Mizu Garden in Mzuzu, Phyera Chiumia emerged victorious after defeating her opponent, Killy Msukwa.
However, Msukwa disputes the results, arguing that the process was marred by confusion and lacked transparency.
“I don’t know that we have a winner in these primaries,” he said. “I was advised to leave the venue shortly after voting began due to chaos over delegate eligibility. I was also informed that the elections would be rescheduled, possibly for Saturday.”
Mwamadi, who also serves as UTM’s Regional Governor for the North-South region, stood by the outcome and dismissed Msukwa’s assertions.
“As a party, we have declared Phyera winner because Msukwa told his supporters to leave before we began counting the votes — likely because he saw he had fewer votes,” she said.
She further denied claims that the party had agreed to postpone the election.
In the aftermath, Chiumia expressed readiness to unite with Msukwa and his supporters.
“I’m ready to work with him and everyone as one UTM family,” she stated.
Chiumia Winner in Mzuzu South-West Primaries as Msukwa Cries Foul
Rewritten Story:
There are conflicting accounts surrounding the outcome of the UTM Party primaries held today for the Mzuzu South-West Constituency.
According to returning officers Nengezi Mwamadi and Hiweti Mkandawire, who presided over the primaries at Mizu Garden in Mzuzu, Phyera Chiumia emerged victorious after defeating her opponent, Killy Msukwa.
However, Msukwa disputes the results, arguing that the process was marred by confusion and lacked transparency.
“I don’t know that we have a winner in these primaries,” he said. “I was advised to leave the venue shortly after voting began due to chaos over delegate eligibility. I was also informed that the elections would be rescheduled, possibly for Saturday.”
Mwamadi, who also serves as UTM’s Regional Governor for the North-South region, stood by the outcome and dismissed Msukwa’s assertions.
“As a party, we have declared Phyera winner because Msukwa told his supporters to leave before we began counting the votes — likely because he saw he had fewer votes,” she said.
She further denied claims that the party had agreed to postpone the election.
In the aftermath, Chiumia expressed readiness to unite with Msukwa and his supporters.
“I’m ready to work with him and everyone as one UTM family,” she stated.
