[. . . the pundits thought that John Tembo would garner more votes from the Southern region while beating Mutharika comprehensively in the Central Region, MCP’s stronghold. 
Wataalamu wa mambo walidhani kuwa john Tembo angepata kura nyingi kwenye majimbo ya kusini wakati angemshinda kabisa Mutharika kwenye majimbo ya kati, ambayo ni ngome ya MCP.