Chilima welcomes Malawi Supreme Court order on voters roll: ‘Relief’

Vice-President Saulos Chilima, who is running mate to opposition Malawi Congress Party (MCP) presidential candidate Lazarus Chakwera, has welcomed the order by the   Malawi Supreme Court of Appeal on Friday on the use of the old voter’s roll, saying the governing Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) was busy registering under aged voters to rig the fresh elections.

Vice President Saulosi Chilima being interviewed by Journalists after the supreme court judgement-pic by Lisa Kadango

The court ordered the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) to use the voters’ rolls which was used in last year’s election and that there should not be any registration of new voters since the new ones were not wronged.

“Democracy has won, the people of Malawi have won,” said Chilima.

Chilima said the court order is a “big relief” as it will ensure that the fresh poll is credible.

He said MEC’s new voters’ roll is compromised.

The Supreme Court also it wanted the election to be held earlier but “reluctantly” agreed with the Constitutional Court’s initial time frame, so the date of the new vote remains July 2 2020.

“We respect the ruling of the Supreme Court,” said MEC EC spokesman Sangwani Mwafulirwa.

The Supreme Court also ruled that only candidates who contested the flawed elections in 2019 should be allowed to stand again in July.

Both Senior Counsel Modecai Msisha and Chikosa Silungwe, lead lawyers for Chakwera and Chilima, respectively, interpreted the court’s ruling as permitting their clients to continue their partnership.

“A pair has never been the candidate but the individual in an election is a candidate,” said Silungwe.

He said the ruling on the candidates will not affect Chilima and Chakwera’s current partnership.

President Peter Mutharika candidature will also not be affected as he has picked Atupele Muluzi, the son of former President Bakili Muluzi, as his running mate.

Muluzi, who is leader of United Democratic Front (UDF), stood against Mutharika in last year’s elections although he was also a member of his cabinet.

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Mangochi Kabwafu
Mangochi Kabwafu
3 years ago

Yimeneyo nde alanga dpp. They were busy registering little milakhos for zisankho.

Apikene
Apikene
3 years ago

Sleazy judges

CESSPOOL
CESSPOOL
3 years ago

Registration circus 2020 cut in the act
The Malawi courts have nipped the rigging in the bud
MEC was in a flight now it’s shoddy handiwork is on its lap
dancing in the election arena needs the best drummer alas Jane Ansah is inadequate to the task
All candidates won’t look over their shoulders except for the one who has been assisted in winning the vote

Sasu
Sasu
3 years ago

Accept that you have been humbled Chilima. With Callista you said you were going to be president. You will now see how the Chakwera is going to play you big time.

The Judge
The Judge
3 years ago
Reply to  Sasu

Not the Chakwera I know, you will be surprised seeing these two Big C’s the way the will run things together!

The Sniper.
The Sniper.
3 years ago

I’m just wondering if MEC still have the last year’s Voter roll! Kikkkkk! ask them if they still have it, they already burn them during the case at High Court thinking that the Court will need them. Believe me, they don’t have these idiots.

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