The results which put DPP's Byton Katambika Msiska at 1379 votes against People's Party candidate Langfield Kanyimbo, means that the PP has lost the seat, which became vacant following the death of Wilson Nyirenda.

While the DPP candidate polled 1379, the PP candidate got 1107 votes trailed by AFORD's 597.

The unofficial results show that Byton Msiska of DPP ahead of the pack with 1379, Langfield Kanyimbo of PP had 1107, John MSISKA of Aford scored 597, while Alick Mhango of MCP had 446, independent candidate Oswell Chavula scored 45 and UDF candidate, Howkins Munthali collected 23 votes.

There were a total of 11076 names in the voters roll, but only 3616 turned up to exercise their right and duty to elect local council representative. With 37 votes declared null and void, it means the turn out represents 32.6% attendance, described by Karonga National Initiative for Civic Education Officer, Christobell Shaba as the poorest.

Shaba says all stakeholders expected better performance, as they mounted a village to village voter education campaign and various party rallies were highly patronised.

She also noted that a culture of handouts has become entrenched in our society, as candidates dished out money, salt, sugar, paraffin and wrappers to woo the electorate.

Earlier in the morning on Tuesday some officials said the low turn up was due to a large catch of usipa and farming engagements at Hara Rice Scheme, where growers are transplanting.

Tallying of results were temporarily disrupted at Khwawa following protests on alleged absence signatures for some party monitors.