CHRR declares Malawi elections ‘not credible’
A governance body Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR) has criticised the “flawed” re-election of President Peter Mutharika, saying the result was tainted by “substantial electoral irregularities”.
Mutharika, 74, the younger brother of president Bingu wa Mutharika who died in office in 2012, was sworn in on Saturday as the new president of Malawi after the election commission declared him the winner of the disputed polls.
The local rights watchdog said the just concluded elections were not free and fair and does not believe that the results represent a credible expression of the will of the Malawians people.
“We at the CHRR will not get tired to remind Malawians including the courts that the law is there to serve and not be served,” said CHRR boss Timothy Mtambo who succeeded Undule Mwakasungula in that position, a former fierce critic of Mutharika.
Mtambo said following the public outcry on the anomalies, the court could have ruled for voter audit and allow time to carry the exercise.
In the disapproval of the outcome, Mtambo recommended that Malawi Law Commission should look at the 8 day period if the time was enough to address the electoral mess.
CHRR has since declared the elections not credible and is asking the electoral body to unreservedly resolve all the irregularities to avoid repeat.
Mtambo said CHRR has no any personal grudges against anybody and pledged to work with any leader.
Meanwhile CHRR has condemned electoral related violence and has called upon the security
apparatus to strengthen the security systems.
The mounting criticism about the election is also expected to affect the country’s fragile economic recovery, with the incoming administration likely to take have a huge task in luring donors to resume aid after they desserted Malawi following cashgate corruption scandal during the Joyce Banda rule.
