Courts orders MEC against altering results of Malawi presidential elections
The High Court has ordered Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) not to tamper with the outcome of May 21 Tripartite Election documents as the matter of the disputed presidential polls results is in Constitutional Court.
Lawyers of Malawi Congress Party (MCP) last Friday told the Constitutional Court that MEC officials are still altering results of the elections.
Senior Counsel Titus Mvalo, lawyer representing MCP, had applied to the court to restrain MEC from tampering with election documents and hand over to court all original election-related documents.
In its ruling seen by Nyasa Times, the Registrar of the High Court, the documents pertaining to the elections including the results sheets for the presidential elections for all the 5002 polling centres, constituency tally centres, the aggregated results and hard copy documents as well as electronic data and documents uploaded onto MEC’s website www.mec.org.mw as at 29th May 2019 be “preserved” by the electoral body.
The court further ordered that all routine destruction or discarding of any such document or data whether pursuant to formal policies or otherwise, shall be suspended.
MCP also requested the court to order that all bank statement of all data clerks should be made available.
According to the official MEC results, Mutharika won the elections by 1 940 709 votes against Chakwera’s 1 781 740, but the opposition says the elections were marred by several irregularities, among them, stuffing ballot papers with pre-marked ballots, tampering with election result sheets through correction fluid known as Tippex and officials keeping result sheets at home.
UTM president Saulos Chilima has specifically alleged that MEC chairperson Jane Ansah spearheaded a rigging plot as she was biased against both Chakwera and himself, claiming in a leaked letter to her that UTM has evidence of the allegations.
Chakwera and Chilima want the court to nullify the presidential elections results.
But Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) wants the case dismissed for purportedly being irregular, defective and lacking sworn affidavits.
The case was referred to the Constitutional court and on Friday, lawyers from all the concerned sides met a five-judge panel in the capital, Lilongwe, in what was called a scheduling conference aimed at discussing preliminary matters and administrative issues surrounding the case.
The case has attracted scores of lawyers with MCP’s Chakwera alone—who is the second petitioner in the case, represented by lawyers from 10 legal firms, including prominent constitutional lawyer Mordecai Msisha, Likongwe and Company, Juris Chambers, Lloyds Associates, Odeide Tax Lawyers, Albaart Chambers, Chris and Legal, Kawelo Lawyers.
President Peter Mutharika, DPP’s presidential candidate and eventual winner of the disputed official results announced by MEC, is represented by, among others, lawyers from Frank Mbeta and Co, M & M Global, Pious Attorneys, Makiyi, Kanyenda & Associates and Mhango & Co.
UTM lead lawyer is Chikosa Silungwe.
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Why make corrections now when the results were already announced and the winning candidate declared mmmmmm???
I dont have kind words for this Jezebelic Woman. Her days are numbered and she must enjoy the blood money while it lasts
Don’t worry Mama the winner is winner the truth is gonna set you free osati kupanga zinthu chifukwa choti akukuwopsezani kut mupangeso resin . chakwera ndi chilima anthu olephera nthawi zonse.
A Malawi, tell me one thing. Are you saying Jane Tippex Ansah ndi M’busa wa Church chake. Kuteroko ali ndi nkhosa zomutsatira? Is she really married? This woman is evil. No wonder akumamuimba kuti “Jane Ansah, Hule la Pitala”. How can you sell Malawi with all your senses just for the “Love of Money” Mulungu akukhululukireni amayi chifukwa simumadziwa zomwe mumachita. Now where is your peace? Can you enjoy your money that you got through crooked ways? Mukanayendetsa bwino zinthuzi bwezi pano muli ku Holiday ku UK comfortably. Nanga pano mudzapitako bwanji mmene mwaonongeramu? Makala amoto a a Malawi ali… Read more »
This is a clear sign that MEC is compromised. As users of the data from polling centers, they are not supposed to be altering results. The body needs disbanding to correct the situation
DPP is in court coz its the MEC’s instructor so akunjenjemera kuti ophunzira aulula akufuna adzimuopsyeza ndikupedzeka kwao.
Just wondering, MEC is accused of. mishandling election results. How do you expect them to responsibly secure material that would implicate them? MEC should be under lock down with police and army overseeing the requested materials. Otherwise, anyone can drive away with the material or as it has happened Judge Fire will be contracted to render a hot verdict and turn the case into ashes.
Ng’ombe zayang’ana ku ngolo.
Why tampering with the results on Website? This truly shows that something is fishy among mec dealings. Just know that Malawi judiciary can’t put tippex government as precedence and answer Muntharika as a lawyer himself knows about that’s why he end up lying to Yaos in Mangochi that in 30days time they should expect International Airport and 5 Star Hotel in exchange for their Support of him, this truly indicate that someone is scared with the outcome. He is scared Auther Peter Muntharika up to the extend of seeking refuge in Mangochi. Hell no! people are just tired with you… Read more »
EVEN LOOKING AT HER FACE , YOU CAN REALLY TELL THAT THIS LADY IS A CROOK.
BY THE WAY IS SHE MARRIED ? IF NOT , THEN CHAPTER CLOSED !
Your mother must be a crook not this woman you idiot