Court summons 4 MEC Commissioners to explain their appointment 

Four Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) commissioners have received summons from the High Court to explain how they were appointed and they are meeting their lawyers on the matter.

Commissioner Nanthulu: Asked to provide response to court

This was revealed by MEC chairperson Dr Chifundo Kachale during the Thursday night press briefing in Lilongwe.

“I can confirm that four commissioners are not present here because of the court summons; but I am reliably informed the summons is not stopping them to work but they are meeting their lawyers,” said Kachale, a judge of the High Court.

“We will respect whatever decision they take and we will continue to function within the laws,” he said.

The four commissioners are: Jean Mathanga, Angelina Kunje, Steve Duwa and Arthur Nathuru.

Kachale, who told reporters he had not seen the court documents,  said he was briefed that the commissioners are not being stopped from exercising their duties at MEC but have to provide their response within seven days.

“They are meeting their lawyers for representation,” he said.

Malawi Congress Party (MCP) had gone to court seeking clarification on appointment of the four, arguing they are all from the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) when each party is only allowed to have two commissioners the same slot as MCP.

In the new commission, President Peter Mutharika retained Jean Mathanga and Angelina Kunje who were in the previous commission that was declared incompetent by the court and parliament for the botched 2019 elections.

In the appointment, President Mutharika also brought back a former MEC commissioner lawyer Arthur Nanthuru.

Included in the new team is Malawi Electoral Support Network chairperson Steven Duwa, who is also Council of Non-Governmental Organisations in Malawi (Congoma) executive director.

Other commissioners nominated by main opposition MCP are Dr Anthony Mukumbwa and Mrs Olivia Mchaju-Liwewe.

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Kala
Kala
3 years ago

Kodi atumbukawa bwanji.

Sha
Sha
3 years ago

A court they are not being professional. These are appointees. They are asking wrong people. These court people they need to start acting professionally. This a shame to the courts.

Kandulu
Kandulu
3 years ago

APM maintained them because they are good at rigging election like no one else. They are trusted thieves better the devil you know .

George Victor
3 years ago

kodi guys Shanil Muluzi ali kuti akadali mu Tonse kapena wangosankha playing a low profile…A Nyasa tatfufuzirani anali limodzi ndi Calista koma masiku ano sitikumuona bwanji.

Maviho
3 years ago

But these courts must be cautious with their regime change agenda. Why do they want to intimidate the appointees instead of talking to the party that appointed them? Why making their interrogations personal this way? Kodi inu a court mphamvu zochuluka chonchizi mukuzitenga kuti? Tikutoperanitu Ife and you should not underestimate us. Remember that this country has been divided into two, and more than half of Malawians are behind DPP commissioners. Please handle them and this matter with care. Tatopa nanu inu atumbuka akumakhothi. If you continue this way, we shall start chasing all tumbukas from Nchalo and all Tea… Read more »

Mazira
Mazira
3 years ago
Reply to  Maviho

It is Chakwera who has moved the courts and not the courts acting on their own, kumazitsata amwene

#Better MW
#Better MW
3 years ago
Reply to  Maviho

See how you are talking, then you go to the North looking for votes. Very disrespectful.

DKC 2000
DKC 2000
3 years ago

It’s Linda, not Angelina Kunje. And it’s Mathanga, not Namathanga Jane

John Phiri
John Phiri
3 years ago

Mathanyula Mathanga and Kunje were declared incompetent by both the courts and Parliament. They should have declined. Nanthuru was in the other Commission. Why was he missing in the previous commission. Are there no other people in Thyolo to be appointed. Duwa, a cadet, is chairman of Malawi Electoral Support Network. Can he confirm there is no conflict of interest?

Atsogoleri
Atsogoleri
3 years ago

aaaa please courts do chilungamo, bwanji osafusa yemwe anamusankha

Tiyeseni Phiri
Tiyeseni Phiri
3 years ago
Reply to  Atsogoleri

I have similar sentiments! Why do you query the appointee instead of the appointing authority!

Phwisa
Phwisa
3 years ago

They were appointed and they not appoint themselves. They don’t know the process. They did not apply. Unless MCP wants to tell us that teir 2 commissioners applied for the job or appointed themselves, they are just waisting our time. Kaya poti paja ma judge aku Malawi, corruption too much!

Munthu
Munthu
3 years ago
Reply to  Phwisa

corruption chifukwa chokuti amakana ndalama za Dpp ? za nyooooo!

Sarah sarah
Sarah sarah
3 years ago
Reply to  Munthu

Koma kugawana 9 billion election cost bill zija ndiye si corruption eti

Lego
3 years ago
Reply to  Sarah sarah

Iwe wasowa chonena or umbuli.Was that corruption on legal cost kkkkkkkk?If you don’t know how court works then you better ask.

Lego
3 years ago
Reply to  Phwisa

They were appointed yes but they were suppose to apply personal principles also.Kunje and Namathanga were found guilty in our court of law with their incompetence. Why accepting such appointment?

Central
Central
3 years ago
Reply to  Phwisa

Nanunso inu tazimvetsani nkhani! The issue here is not about applying for a job or not? The issue is about competence and incompetence!! It is the same courts of Malawi that found Kunje and Mathanga as part of the incompetent team that mismanaged the 2019 elections! Further the court is informed that Nanthuru is UDF legal advisor not dpp yet the law directs that dpp was supposed to identify a nominee within dpp and Duwa is still cringing to his MESN and CONGOMA positions while he clearly knows that these positions make him to be exposed to conflict of interest… Read more »

Tiyeseni Phiri
Tiyeseni Phiri
3 years ago
Reply to  Central

You would still query the appointing authority for appointing the so called ‘incompetent’ commissioners.

Sarah sarah
Sarah sarah
3 years ago
Reply to  Central

Nowhere in the rules does it states that a party nomination choice should come from the said party affiliation. A party is give a chance to choose it’s commissioner and is a liberty to select who ever it pleases. No issue here.

Central
Central
3 years ago
Reply to  Sarah sarah

Muona nyekweeee!! These are the very verses you said during the just ended election case!! No wonder you don’t even agree after loosing the election case!! Your team has no principles, inu ngakhale kukuitainilani nyansi muvomelaaaaaaa chachikulu oyitanayo ndi peter athar from jerusalema law schooooooooooooooooooollll!!

Lego
3 years ago
Reply to  Sarah sarah

Then go back and read our Malawian laws on the appointing of Mec Commissioners.

Mathanyula
3 years ago
Reply to  Phwisa

Bwana, there’s no balanced representation on the mec commissioners. Both MCP and dpp should provide 2 commissioners each period as per laws governing M E C. paja simungawine popanda kubera agalu inu. Ulendo uno mwauponda. ,Tipex ndi Jane ansa kulibe. Akugwireni patdzanja ndi ndani???????? KKKKKKKKKK

Tiyeseni Phiri
Tiyeseni Phiri
3 years ago
Reply to  Mathanyula

You need to challenge the appointing authority!

Zio ine
Zio ine
3 years ago

Judges should give them guidance in answering that question as to why they were appointed judges. I thought such questions should be directed to the one who appointed them and as for the commissioners they have a contract which spells out their contract work.

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