Malawi Electoral Commission obeys court ruling to hold re-run in Lilongwe City South

Malawi Electoral Commission (Mec) will hold the re-run of Parliamentary elections in Lilongwe City South East Constituency in respect to the ruling by the Supreme Court of Appeal on Monday.

MCP’s Msungama: Challenged the fraudlent results in court and is vindicated

The Supreme Court annulled the 2014 Lilongwe south east Parliamentary election’s results and called for a re-run on grounds that there was rigging. The ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) member Bentry Namasasu was declared winner of the election.

Acting Chief Elections Officer, Thandie Nkovole, the commission confirmed to be “putting measures in place” to hold the re-run.

“The Commission wishes to advise all stakeholders that it is putting in place measures in place to hold the re-run as soon as practicable. The Commission notes that this will be the first time on record that there will be a re-run of this nature in the electoral history of the country,” said Nkovole in the statement.

However, Nkovole said they were critical studying the court’s ruling as well as provisions of the existing electoral laws in order to come up with an acceptable procedure in conducting the re-run.

“Since the judgment was only delivered on 06th March 2017, the Commission has already engaged the Judiciary to get a copy of the ruling at the earliest time possible and will, thereafter, convene a meeting of the Commissioners to plan the way forward.”

She said the process of holding elections involves engagement of several public offices and the holding of the re-run would depend on how fast the other institutions can assist to the process.

“Stakeholders should be assured that it has always been in the interest of the Commission to fill up vacancies as soon as possible once they arise so that people in constituencies and wards continue to enjoy representation in Parliament and councils respectively at all times,” she added.

Nkovole then appealed for patience, understanding and support of all electoral stakeholders in this process.

The court’s ruling excited Malawi Congress Party (MCP) which has all maintained that the ruling DPP rigged the elections.

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

Meanwhile, National Assembly has refused to comment on the court’s ruling.

Spokesperson for Parliament, Leonard Mengezi could comment on whether they declare Namasasu’s seat vacant.

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

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Sailota
Sailota
7 years ago

Thank you God. Satana ali mmadzi. Malawians lets unite for the truth. After all, they are in minority. Every good loving Malawian must cotribute where and what necessary to get rid of evil in our country.

Yahya Jammeh
7 years ago

We know MEC will buy time, and at the same time it will claim that there is no money for the bi-election. But let me assure you that the donors are watching this development with keen interest, they will come in quickly to fund the bi-election so that MEC doesn’t find any excuse for denying the legitimate MP whose votes were stolen by political crooks. I will rule Gambia for a billion years.

mtete
mtete
7 years ago

We appreciate MEC needs time to prepare for this landmark bye election. However we consider no more than two months adequate time to conclude you preparations. After all what are MEC’s day to day preoccupations?. Drinking tea and gossiping half the time. And, please, we do not want ‘lack of funds’ as an excuse. There are many well wishers out there, including donors who would like this landmark bye election to be undertaken without delay. Who knows? DPP could pull a surprise although the panic mode they’re in at the moment does not work in their favour.

karonga
karonga
7 years ago

Namasasu, yes the illegal DPP MP since 2014 must pay back the money you have been receiving in allowances and salary because you did not deserve payment after all. Nicholus Dausi burned MEC warehouse in Lilongwe so that this Namasasu can steal money from government in the name of false parliamentarian. How do we trust this DPP government which is ruling through the back door? PAY BACK THE MONEY OR RISK ARREST AND IMPRISONMENT. SHUPITI FOOLS

Chimanga
Chimanga
7 years ago

I wonder what is there to study…………I would think that the ruling was clear and cut.

Achimidzimidzi
Achimidzimidzi
7 years ago

Mengezi! Mengezi iwe!! even if you don’t declare his seat vacant, your Namasasu is not coming again until re run of the elections is done.

Good luck for those who burnt the warehouse in vain and waste of resources

solomo
solomo
7 years ago

We, the tax payers want this re-run be held as soon as possible without further delay. Our brothers and sisters in the affected constituency want a representation ASAP to advance their development needs as bonafide citizens and tax payers of this nation. The money we pay for taxes can best be used for this purpose other stolen by DPP thieves. The money you are busy buying expensive cars and constructing mapwevupwevu hall at state house should come down to assist the people of the area to be represented. Anything to the contrary, Peter and his fellow DPP thieves will face… Read more »

Ade
Ade
7 years ago

Voti ikawola imodzi awola onse. The whole election was rigged. It is not possible that this is the only place this happened. Chakwera has been telling Mutharika and you have been calling him names. MEC ware house munaotcha

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