Kabwila barred, activist accuses MEC of ‘double standards’
Malawi Congress Party (MCP) spokesperson Dr Jessie Kabwila has been disqualified as parliamentary candidate for Salima North West in the forthcoming May 20 Tripartite Elections., Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) has just published nomination results.
In the MEC list, Kabwila name is not appearing and the electoral body confirmed she has been rejected on grounds that she was a public officer as a lecture as Chancellor College of the University of Malawi (Unima) yet she took leave of absence and he has nothing to do with Unima.
One of the human rights activist Billy Mayaya accused MEC of applying what he called “double standards” disqualifying opposition candidates but taking no action on ruling party candidates who are civil servants.
Mayaya cited Chipiliro Mpinganjira who is contesting on ruling PP candidate in Blantyre.
“Why is MEC selectively applying the law? Everybody knows Chipiliro Mpinganjira is working at Ministry of Justice and standing as an MP for PP! No to double standards,” lamented Mayaya.
But Nyasa Times understands Mpinganjira resigned from civil service.
Kabwila said she will challenge the decision to bar her from contesting in court.
MEC also disqualified Umodzi Party (UP) presidential candidate Professor Chisi on similar ground to that of Kabwila.
Chisi, a lecturer at College of Medicine, a constituent college of Unima, has sued the electoral body, arguing that MEC disqualified him on grounds that he was a public officer, yet he took leave of absence and he has nothing to do with Unima.
He petitioned the High Court in Blantyre.
MEC disqualified only Chisi out of 12 presidential candidates.
Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV :