The ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has outclassed the opposition Malawi Congress Party (MCP) in Zomba-Chisi to retain its seat in the by-elections conducted on Tuesday December 22, 2015 by Malawi Electoral Commission.

The by-election also saw the MCP claiming all seats in the local government by-elections conducted in Ngala Ward in Lilongwe Msozi North Constituency and Mtope Ward in Mchinji West.

MEC Chairperson Maxon Mbendera disclosed this on Wednesday at Mount Soche hotel in the commercial capital Blantyre during the official announcement of the results of the by-elections.

In his speech, Mbendera admitted that by-elections were faced with voter apathy and low participation of Political Parties.

Mbendera said a total of 16,126 voters turned up for polling out of 67,557 registered voters representing voter turnout of 23.87 percent.

According to results declared by Mbendera, Zomba-Chisi constituency went to Mark Michael Botomani of DPP who got 3,019 votes seconded by an independent candidate, Dyson R. Chimwala who got 2,792 votes.

MCP and opposition People’s Party (PP) candidates performed poorly in the constituency.

Coming to local government election, MCP scoped the entire seat with Ngala Ward going to Master Rodgers Chazama who got 1,381votes while Mtope Ward to Auleriano Kalemba who got 2,444 votes.

Meanwhile MCP launched a complaint against DPP in Zomba-Chisi by-election, accusing the party of conducting the campaign outside the required time but Mbendera trashed the claim, saying it lacked evidence.