Malawi election case first phase: No bombs thrown yet, ruling likely next year
The first phase of the challenge to Malawi presidential election results case ended on Friday with very little evidence produced to prove massive irregularities and exposure of weak elections management systems on both the Malawi Electoral Commission and the UTM.
Eight days spent by UTM presidential candidate Dr. Saulos Chilima saw him agree with Attorney General Kalekeni Kaphale who made him admit that the tippex, irregularities and other use of forms did not affect the valid vote.
Chilima’s lowest point was when he presented in a sworn statement that he got 39000 votes in Rumphi West constituency which had only 35,000 registered voters.
Mirriam Gwalidi a roving monitor for UTM made a sensational allegation that she found monitors altering results, but she could not say why her monitors did not challenge or dispute the results.
Overall the first phase is yet to throw a bomb with UTM lawyers sounding like they are in a hurry, while the respondents seem happy to take all their time.
UTM has indicated it only want to cross examine a total of four deponents , while the MCP looks set to examine 12 witnesses.
Lawyers for President Peter Mutharika wants 243 witnesses in the block, while the MEC legal team want a total of 38 from UTM and 15 from MCP affidavits.
The Court has sent back all legal teams to perfect their submissions, indicate the areas which they are in agreement and areas they want to cross-examine the other side. Mutharika lawyers were chided for not being serious.
An estimated 50 witnesses are expected to be on the dock and MCP President Lazarus Chakwera might only be heard in court probably end October or November should the current pace of proceedings persists.
Ruling can be predicted somewhere after one year of elections.
Is that not mismanagement by MEC that a contestant gets more than the total number of registered voters?
Mr Naruso. You started off very well. You said leave the interpretation to the judges. But you lost me when you said no one has respect for President Mutharika. Who are you to speak for all of us about how we view President Mutharika. I for one hold President Mutharika in high esteem and I believe there are millions of Malawians who voted for him who share these sentiments with me. Please stop making yourself a spokespersons for Malawians. You do not make Malawians. You are an individual so speak for yourself which you are entitled to. This bitterness will… Read more »
Zagwa nayo mbulizi… kkkkk
Palibe mulandu APA. UTM and MCP just wasting money on lawyers.
Leave the interpretation of what has so far transpired in the court case to the judges. What is clear to all Malawians to date is that the crooked ways of DPP have been exposed and Mutharika is a humiliated man. They can try to intimidate the petitioners and spin things so that the judges fail to prove the rigging but all Malawians now know the truth in their hearts. Noone and I mean noone has even a drop of respect for Mutharika. He can cling to power but sadly he will rule his tribe only and remain in government to… Read more »
It looks like your masters are spooked. No smoke without fire.
kkkkk mbwiye
Try to write like a professional Journalist please. Use facts and not just mere opinions and make grave mistakes such as ” Ruling likely next year”.
If you follow the proceedings in the Court, the Judges have said it now and then that this is an expedited case and wherever possible they will limit the examination.
Why next year? ….And who is going lead Malawi in the meantime, prof Shit Muthanyuka.? Very sad development. It will be too late. Lets rise up, my fellow Malawians. You know what we must do.
God, please forgive this person
Some Malawians are full of shit..like chigoba chitchedwa Mr/Ms “Very Fat Corrupt Dude”.
Guys when you do things out of emotiond, the results are that you do not get what you want. Apapa chilima is really showing his foolishness. Chipani cha dpp chinali chake koma uchitsiru okhaokha. This time when I see some of these things happening I cry to myself saying why a chilima matama ngati a finye? Chilima is stupid and crooked koma uchitsiru basi. Winaso opusa ndi chakwera. Why being in league with somebody who said u vp inu simungautenge bolani iyeyo chifukwa adzilandira pension? No integrity and vision. Useless chilima and chakwera.
Writing out of frustration does not make sense my brother mbwiye but be objective with your facts.