Malawi court orders registration of UTM as political party
The High Court in Blantyre has ordered the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties not to continue withholding the registration of the United Transformation Movement (UTM) of President Peter Mutharika’s political ally-turned-nemesis Vice-President Saulos Chilima.
The registration of UTM was rejected because the Movement opted to register using its abbreviation of ‘UTM’ instead of the full name which is ‘United Transformation Movement’.
However, lawyer Michael Goba Chipeta, representing Chilima, argued that it was illogical for the registrar to base his decision on information not provided by the applicants saying, besides, the movement was not granted a chance to be heard as required by rules of natural justice.
Presiding judge John Chirwa in his determination quashed the reasons by deputy registrar of political parties Chikumbutso Namelo that they cannot registrar the movement because of its use of the abbreviation instead of a full name as undemocratic.
The court said UTM can be registered as such and ordered Registrar of Political Parties that UTM should be duly registered as a political party within seven days from September 21 2018 which means the party is now officially recognised.
At the court UTM supporters mocked and denounced their perceived destructors and oppressors as “small kids” who cannot match them at their political game, in obvious borrowed language of their leader Saulos Chilima who usually refers to his main opponents, especially the governing Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) as “afana” (small kids) who cannot afford to rig 2019 elections.
The judgement on the UTM registration will precede a fundraising dinner and dance the movement has organised at Comesa Hall tonight dubbed Kuwala Night which Chilima will attend and address the patrons.
Chilima will also be addressing a rally in Nkhotakota on Saturday.
I am very happy!
oMachemba, does your pumbwa have anything to offer? Chomwe amadziwa ndi kusolola ndi mulhakho basi! Mukodzedwa ndithu!
The first rejection by the learned judge was just another political propelled decision. Zinthu zinazi we just waste time and Gvt resources knowing what the real outcome of the verdict should be like.
Maliseche anga ndi Chilima
It is simple logic. Suppose another party is born with similar abbreviations but different name, will that party be registered quoting the law that has just been created? The deputy registrar knows the law better. ……
After all that is the ruling of the high court. There is the constitution court and also the supreme
Court of appeal to deal with this unprecedented confusion.
Suppose another bank called NBS bank with a different name comes? Suppositions are a fools gambit
You are the confusionist, creating confusion where there is none. Get over it!
Inu law munapangira kuti? Tamangobisani maliseche anuwo ku community college komwe muliko
This hurdle may now pass for UTM Bus Company, but the future is not bright at all. No kidding, this hurdle was an ant hill, and dwarfed by the mount Mulanjes ahead – getting adequate funding for a defining convention, and campaigning to convince voters that Chilima/UTM are the best alternative, among many. Clenched fists showing off gym muscles, proverbs and kandebvu to make Chilima look wise will not cut it. Malawians want alternatives that have substance and are realistic. Osati zija tinaona pa HARDtalk ndi Zaina Badawi zija. Man, Chilima was just floored! Unforgettable. The guy has nothing in… Read more »
Your argument is baseless and totally off! No one has articulated their vision for Malawi better than SKC. Do you really believe in your heart of hearts that UTM has no money for a formidable convention?? You are in for a big shock ……..keep sitting in denial fool
Which Malawwians are you speaking for? DPP Malawians? As for HARD talk, people will not make decisions based on that interview, it all depends how political one’s ears were. People drew a different conclusion. I find it hard that in a democracy people can not accept that Chilima has decided to take his path., and other people are walking with him. What is wrong with that?
Lets get to work SKC and UTM , that was just a stepping stone for us! Lets spread the word and continue to build grass root structures, lets knock on every door, go to every valley, every mountain top, do not leave one stone unturned, we an do this
My hope and faith in my country has now been renewed, at least we have a functional judicial system, Thank you Jesus!
Yesssssssss! Our hope for tomorrow!
Iam happy to hear what the court has determined. This is democracy at work. We fought for our beautiful in 1993 in collaboration with churches particularly the Catholic. The Court’s decision is fair and reasonable. Thank you our justice system, you have served Malawians on democracy well.
A brighter and better future for ALL Malawians is in the horizon ………..Moto kuti buuuuu!