DPP’s Namasasu no longer MP: Malawi Parliament cautious on Supreme Court ruling over annuling of election

Malawi Parliament has refused to comment on the Supreme Court ruling on Monday which effectively fired Lilongwe south east MP Bentry Namasasu.

The Supreme Court annulled the 2014 Lilongwe south east parliamentary election and called for a rerun.

But spokesperson for parliament Leonard Mengezi said he would not comment on whether parliament has started the process of kicking out the Lilongwe south east MP Bentry Namasasu.

“This is a legal matter. I therefore need time to consult widely,” he said.

Malawi Electoral Commission officials were also not available for comment.

The Supreme Court ruled that there was rigging in the election, a landmark ruling that has excited the opposition Malawi Congress Party (MCP) which has all maintained that the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) rigged the election when it was in opposition.

MCP secretary general Eisenhower Mkaka said the ruling vindicates the party stand on the matter.

Government, however, says it has no money to hold another election, a move that has been criticised by Malawians in social media who want the election to be held, saying democracy is expensive.

State spies, National Intelligence Bureau officers, were accusing of torching a Malawi Electoral Commission warehouse in Lilongwe where the ballot papers for the election were kept.