Malawi Law Society queries Ansah for remaining MEC chairperson: ‘Deeply reflect’

Malawi Law Society  (MLS) has called on embattled Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) chairperson Jane Ansah to “deeply reflect” on the value of remaining in office as her position has become technically untenable in the face of growing calls for her resignation for allegedly compromising herself and mismanaging the May 21 Tripartite Elections and purportedly favouring President Peter Mutharika.

Ansah: Under public fire
The writing is on the placard
Kaukonde: Ansah should deeply reflect

Ansah, who is also a judge of the Malawi Supreme Court of Appeal, is on record as having said the Constitutional Court hearing a petition for the nullification of the presidential race in will determine if she was wrong.

She described on-going nationwide demonstrations organised by Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) demanding her resignation as “mob justice”.

But in a letter dated July 12 2019 under the subject Management of Electoral Complaints and Determination  of Electoral Complaints and Determinations of Electoral Results concerning presidential election 2019, addressed to politicians, the electoral body  and HRDC, among others,  the law society calls upon organisers of anti-Ansah demonostrations to  deeply reflect on the value of the protests “while the substance of the subject matter remains a legal dispute being managed through the Courts with a possibility of either outcome, at least in legal theory.”

MLS said no doubt there is a right to demonstrate but request the organisers to reflect on the protests especially when on the two occasions so far, such demonstrations have led to destruction of property .

They argue that the constitutional right to demonstrate guaranteed in Section 38 of the Constitution is inherently connected to such demonstrations being peaceful.

On the other hand, the Law Society calls upon MEC chairperson to “further equally reflect on the value of remaining in office while her stay in that office seems to be a cause for social disruption and political unrest.”

The statement was signed my Martha Kaukonde the honourary secretary for the Law Society.

It is also addressed to Malawi Congress Party (MCP) president Lazarus Chakwera, UTM Party president Saulos Chilima, Speaker of Parliament Catherine Gotani-Hara and Inspector General (IG) of Police Rodney Jose.

Ansah has become the second MEC chairperson to face resignation calls after the late William Hanjahanja who tendered his resignation in May 1999 amid pressure from electoral stakeholders.

Then president Bakili Muluzi replaced Hanjahanja, who cited health grounds as reasons for his resignation within weeks to the 1999 elections, with Supreme Court Judge James Kalaile.

Stakeholders accused Hanjahanja of poor leadership, but the commission said medical doctors had given him a two-week bed rest after treating him for malaria and high blood pressure.

The civil society organisations (CSOs) under the banner of  HRDC  have organised weekly  demonstrations  nationwide to force Ansah to step down for allegedly mismanaging the elections.

The CSOs,  are supported  by the two petitioners seeking nullification of the presidential elections, Saulos Chilima of UTM Party and Lazarus Chakwera of MCP.

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Chittanooga
Chittanooga
4 years ago

The “Electoral System”

Occam's Razor
4 years ago

Thanks to all of you for your comments. It is now time for Banja tea. Good morning.

Innoxy Charles
Innoxy Charles
4 years ago

Where is that Lady called Anastasia msosa????
Somebody should let me know about her please!!!!..

Chittanooga
Chittanooga
4 years ago
Reply to  Innoxy Charles

She retired from the public service after reaching the mandatory retirement age, and stays in one of the popular suburbs in Blantyre.

Kanyimbi
Kanyimbi
4 years ago

MLS dont go round with your advices write a strong letter to APM to fire his appointed Ansah coz Malawians wont stop demostrating she is the solution to peace you’re advocating period. MLS you look you’ve got a soft spot with APM.

chimulilenji
chimulilenji
4 years ago

kupanga resign ansah akukufuna but she fears makadeti amuthila poison or else atha kumugundisa ndi track

KINANASI 1
4 years ago

A Mr. Khima,how can Ansah claim that all electoral processes were followed when the same MEC chair confesed that Tipex was indeed used,and that MEC did not procure any of it,not talking of approving it.So when saying all electoral processes were followed,is Tipex part of those processes

Fake Petros
Fake Petros
4 years ago
Reply to  KINANASI 1

Mayi awa alibe umunthu! Or pang’ono!
I wonder why amazitchura kuti ndi a Mulungu
She’s just COLD and CALCULATIVE, blunt with no emotions at all. Olo kupha munthu with such personality disorder can kill. No doubt about it.

Amfumu
4 years ago

After she resigns, so what? Come up with other unrealistic and unreasonable demands? Zankutu basi.

Nyasa jè Malawi
4 years ago
Reply to  Amfumu

Plan B muiziwabe amfumu

Macrco
Macrco
4 years ago
Reply to  Amfumu

Zankutu ndiaiweyol,MBUZI

Pathako pambuzi
Pathako pambuzi
4 years ago
Reply to  Amfumu

Achokeeeee

Central
Central
4 years ago
Reply to  Amfumu

Somebody whose blood is too blue can never be an election referee!! Based on the mess she facilitated, it is immoral for her to continue getting her MEC honorarium paid by the parties she victimised…………. and that is the very reason she has to move out!! Resources being used by MEC are never generated by dpp supporters only but everybody, now if she is openly siding with one party, then its better to join active politics and stop using a public office to favour her party!! Ndiponso, kodi angakhale atakakamila akuona ngati she will facilitate 2024 election? Kuganiza kwanu man… Read more »

Amfumu
4 years ago

I beg to differ with those calling for Jane’s resignation. I would strongly say “Dont resign Madam Chair”. There is no need. Wait for the court case to be concluded. If and only if the court finds MEC in the wrong shoul you resign. For now the assertion that you mismanaged the presidential elections is just peoples’ opinion and thinking. In other words, its just an allegation until proved otherwise and you are innocent until proven guilty. I rest my case.

Joloza
4 years ago
Reply to  Amfumu

Bravo amfumu. That is good thinking. Long Live MEC chair Justice Dr. Jane Ansah!!!!!!

Bristol
4 years ago
Reply to  Joloza

I disagree with what you are saying. Justice Ansah must resign amicably. The problem with Ansah is that Umunthu wawabvuta. Dziko Lonse likulira chifukwa chakulephera iwo kuyendetsa bwino zisankho koma sakufuna kutula pansi udindo. If I were Jane Ansah, I would have resigned even before Demonstrations had started. Moreover, people have died mysteriously due to Election Case. Why clinging to power when even kids and children in our homes know that she is behind the mess at MEC.

Central
Central
4 years ago
Reply to  Joloza

Smart brains would have moved out kuti pamapeto ngati a court atagamula kuti sanalakwe iye akatuluke poyela and shame those who are demanding the same!! By insisting to continue to be at MEC, she is sending another strange message, and that message is being assumed that she is trying to hide something that could quickly explode if she moves out!! This is why people say there is a big difference between intelligence and wisdom! The wise’s decisions are always smart not stupid as is the case……………….!!

Thin
Thin
4 years ago
Reply to  Amfumu

When the Accountant mismanaged financial transaction and the Auditor comes to audit him the first thing is that Auditors asks the company Management to suspend him in order to pave way for investigations, so why should she not first cease from her duties?

Nambewe
Nambewe
4 years ago
Reply to  Amfumu

I agree with you. When there is a dispute the courts are supposed to be the ultimate fair arbitrator! I have no understood the reason for such a impatience to get rid of Jane Ansah. I cant help thinking there are those scoring their own personal score here! wait for courts to determine what really happened. The law society shame on you! Can you not even support your own fellow professional? Can you not educate the public to follow protocol ? leave her until we know what happened.

Agenda Setting Theory
Agenda Setting Theory
4 years ago
Reply to  Amfumu

Tippex brain. Whatever the court will say Jane is a damaged brand. It is what you call people’s opinion that matters, even if the court says she did nothing wrong but the people she is supposed to save thinks otherwise, what is the point of staying?

chimulilenji
chimulilenji
4 years ago
Reply to  Amfumu

what about if court order ansa to resign ????? muzizatizo zankutu?/ agalu achabechabe inu

Macrco
Macrco
4 years ago
Reply to  Amfumu

Court did not employ her, UMBULI WAKUPWETEKA

Maunits
Maunits
4 years ago

Yes there is no need for Ansah to stay in the office as MEC chair she must fall. But I know because Muthalika bought the presidency she feels to resign will make their pan become more weak and face danger at the end of the day both Muthalika and Ansah. Therefore her plan is to resign once the courts nullifies the elections that is typical Malawians people from small southern Africa countries who refuses to resign even there is overwhelming evidence of fraud shame on you and this battle is fought by GOD Himself and victory is coming soon since… Read more »

Lux Tikitira
Lux Tikitira
4 years ago
Reply to  Maunits

Okoma sakhalitsa. if you look at how Madam Anastaza Msosa conducted herself during her term of office as MEC chair, one would know she was a genius who knew her job osangati uyu poti ndi mzimai can do monga momwe adachitira mzimai mzake uja. Mai Msosa wherever you are, you are an inspiration to our girl children. . May you enjoy your retirement and may God take care of you. we have seen the difference.

Macrco
Macrco
4 years ago
Reply to  Lux Tikitira

Mai Msosa a real JUDGE

Kotakota mtalamo
Kotakota mtalamo
4 years ago
Reply to  Maunits

Maunits umaitha wanena zoona

Tuvitwana
Tuvitwana
4 years ago

THIS WOMAN IS TECHNICALLY NOT MEC CHAIR ANYMORE. YOU TEND TO WONDER WHAT SHE’S LOOKING FOR!

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