Members of Parliament for the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) have officially elected Mulanje Central legislator Kondwani Nankhumwa as Leader of Opposition in the House.

The election, which took place at Parliament Building on Thursday morning, comes a day after 1st Deputy Speaker Madalitso Kazombo ordered the DPP to elect a Leader of Opposition.

Kazombo ordered the DPP to have the elections after rejecting Nsanje Central lawmaker Francis Kasaila as opposition leader who was appointed by the Party’s President, Peter Mutharika.

DPP Secretary General Grezelder Jeffrey presided over the election which saw Kondwani Nankhumwa getting 38 votes, Francis Kasaila 4 votes and 1 vote for Bright Msaka of Machinga Likwenu Constituency.

In an interview, Nankhumwa says he is grateful for being trusted with the leadership position.

“Let me first put it in this way that I am glad and grateful to my member colleagues for entrusting me again with that responsibility,” said Nankhumwa.

The newly elected opposition leader has since pledged to work with anyone despite apparent divisions over its leadership.

Meanwhile, Jeffrey is expected to officially communicate to the office of the Speaker about Nankhumwa being elected as Leader of Opposition.

The election took place as Parliament was in session which raised suspicion about the whereabouts of most DPP lawmakers who were nowhere to be seen in the House and it was later discovered that there were in one of the rooms conducting the polls.