Malawi opposition set March 27 ‘day of rage’: To force Ansah, electoral commissioners out

March 24, 2020 Alfred Chauwa - Nyasa Times 91 Comments

Malawians are bracing for fresh unrest as opposition Malawi Congress Party (MCP) and UTM Party alliance and its partners   have declared Friday  27th March 2020 as a ‘day of rage’ to force  Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) chairperson Jane Ansah  and other commissioners resign.

The joint UTM and MCP news conference at the Crossroads Hotel in Lilongwe.
Media corps at the MCP-UTM news conference

Post-election protesters in the capital Lilongwe march in the streets demanding the resignation of the Malawi Electoral Commssion leader Jane Ansah to step down. (Lameck Masina/VOA)

Opposition accuse Ansah and MEC of presiding over a fraudulent poll  in a new bid to force the panel’s chief to quit after the Constitutional  court overturned last May’s presidential elections.

Ansah has defiantly said the current electoral commission will manage the Constitutional Court ordered fresh elections  slated for July 2.

Addressing a joint news conference in Lilongwe, UTM spokesman Jospeh Chidanti Malunga said the opposition block has  christened  March  27 2020 as  “day of rage”, asking people not to go to work to show that they don’t want Ansah to run the elections.

“ Since we cannot hold street protests due to the threat of the Covid-19 virus, we are calling on all our supporters to stay away from work on Friday.

“Just for one day, we must remind Prof Mutharika and JusticeAnsah that we are tired of them taking us for granted. They do not have power. Power is with the people of Malawi. And the people of Malawi want Electoral Commissioners they can trust,”  said Malunga reading a prepared statement.

He said said opposition have also asked their lawyers to go to court on the matter.

“We have instructed our lawyers to commence a constitutional challenge to the continued presence of Justice Ansah and the current Commissioners in the Commission. We shall be asking the Constitutional Court to determine whether it is lawful for Justice Ansah to continue  holding her position when the Court and Parliament have clearly stated that she is incompetent,” said Malunga.

He said the judgement was very clear that the Commission mismanaged the 2019 tripartite elections.

“The court ruled that Parliament should Institute an inquiry to look into their competence and the inquiry recommended to President Peter Mutharika to fire them.”

He said this arrogance by the executive is very retrogressive.

Malunga said it has proven that the current MEC commissioners have no mandate to administer the elections.

MCP deputy spokesman Ezekiel Chin’goma said it was time to throw off the yoke of bondage of Ansah in subverting the will of the people.

“We remain in the trenches and will continue to fight to force the current MEC out and have competent people manage the elections,” he said.

Ching’oma said MCP, UTM and its slliance partners will still participate in the elections.

Apart from Ansah, other Mec commissioners are Linda Kunje, Mary Nkosi, Jean Mathanga, Moffat Banda, Yahaya M’madi, Elvey Mtafu, Kilion Mgawi and Clifford Baloyi.

The electoral commission announced Monday that fresh presidential polls will be held on July 2, the 149th day from February 3, the date on which the Constitutional Court nullified the 2019 presidential elections after considering charges of irregularities.

Voter registration for the polls will begin on April 4 and run until June 7 in four phases, Ansah told reporters.

The nomination of candidates for the presidential polls will take place April 23-24 in the southern city of Blantyre, she added.

In a landmark ruling, Judge Healey Potani, chairman of the five-judge panel hearing the case, announced on Feb. 3 that “the presidential results announced on May 27, 2019 are null and void. Fresh elections should be held within 150 days.”

The protests over the polls’ results on many occasions turned violent with looting, damage to property and injuries.

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91 replies on “Malawi opposition set March 27 ‘day of rage’: To force Ansah, electoral commissioners out”

  1. Writing this on the day of rage. Looks like a day of affirmation to me that Malawians don’t just dance to unnecessary songs by the politicians. Why should a person sacrifice his/her livelihood to help a politician secure his. I mean why should I sacrifice my job for the sake of a politician who is trying to secure a job.

    It doesn’t add up. This wasnt thought through. We thought the coalition would bring sanity to both camps to pursue a course which is more appealing. Anthu a ndale simudzatheka.

  4. Day of rage towards MCP and UTM. Let’s unleash our dismay at the Malawi Crocodile Party and Chilima who is taking us for granted. Why join MCP when UTM has good following.

  5. Iwe Yona Chakwela and your friend Absalomu Chilima inu mukuona kuti pali nzeru apa????? Zooona anthu ajombe kuntchito??? tamuganizilani Mini Bus Driver yemwe amapeza chakudya chalero akapita kuntchito nanga akazajomba ini muzamupatsa chokudya??? Tganizilani ma dotolo ndi ma nurse omwe akuyang’nila azibale athu komanso anu muzipatala zoona azajombe???? Inu mitu yanu ili bwino bwino koma kapena mwachita misala??? Inu taganizilani a Army, a Police ndi a Immigration omwe ntchito yawo ndi kupeleka chitetezo ku dzikoli azajombe kuti mbava zitibele, anthu apange zomwe akufuna??? no no no you two leaders are more than evil – anthu oipa ngati Corona virus – please learn to LOVE one another and preach PEACE and God will bless

  7. Apm challenged both the Judges of Malawi High Court and Parliament as childish ides. The Judges akulota masana because they dont that APM is Prof. of Law and all them including Judges SC are his Children because he is the one who wrote all that law the what you call Judges are referring to. You will meet South African Lawyers shortly you will see.

  8. Writing is on the Wall DPP. Only 3 months remaining, do not fool yourselves, numbers do not add up. If there are any thinkers and problem solvers in your camp wake up and start working hard. The coming Tsunami will over power you if you continue with your useless type of approach!!!

    1. You do not know what you are talking and Israel coming here themselves NDIZIBWANA ZIMENEZO? Your SC Judges will tie their mouths.

  9. hehehehehdeeeeeeeeeee koma zoona anthu ake ati amene akajombe kuntchito lachisanuwo? koma maloto achumba, mukufuna anthu aluze ntchito eti anzanga ogwira ntchito, palibe thandizo kuchokera ku MCTU AWA AZIPANIWA SAKAKUGULIRANI BONYA, MCP, WHY CANT U RECALL YUR MEMBERS WHO ARE COMMISSIONERS, ZATITOPETSA IFEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

  10. Following most of the comments on UTM/MCP Alliance, it clearly shows that DPP has employed their cadets to pet more stones on the opposition grand alliance. Unfortunately to them, Malawi is geared for change and there is no reverse to that effect. Therefore, cadets, please keep commenting negatively, attack UTM supporters more for joining hands with MCP for the sake of redeeming Malawi from DPP atrocities, but it won’t change anything.

    Viva UTM! Viva MCP! Viva Dr. Laz! Viva SKC

    1. You are right. DPP is trying its best to make negative comments about the MCP/UTM Alliance. They know that change is surely coming in July.

  11. Cadet comments being voted down in large numbers here. Watch this space cadets. This is an indication of how much Malawians dislike the current DPP corrupt government.

    The grand alliance will give DPP idiots a huge knockout. DPP’s old master will eventually run away to the US leaving the rest of the cadets in the dust, not knowing what hit them.

    1. Iwe wekha sukuwona kuti no body in his/her right mind can stay away from work . People have families to feed my brother.

      1. What is your point?

        Spouting the obvious.

        Whenever change is necessary, sacrifices have to be made.

    1. That was totally a lie, am here in RSA now and no news paper or Radio even TV has carried any news of Simbi arrest.
      We are just hearing it from Malawi and more especially on Nyasatimes which had retracted it or taken it down after realising that it was DPP machinery Fabrication.

      Understand that Simbi has not bn arrested Cadet.

  15. Can MCP and UTM also tell us what will happen to illegal MPs who won through Jane Ansah’s MEC? Or rather who won through tippex according to the foolish ConCourt judgement.

  16. Seriously if this Were a Football Match between Bullets and Noma and One of the Teams does not Want the Referee ….Bwenzi Ref atapezeka khale Wina…Koma I think Something is Seriously Wrong….Kutengera Zinthu Mwachibwana….

  17. If people can focus back on the 2014 elections they will see a desperate slave trader. This slave trader has lost markets. He now wants to sale us back to where we were once redeemed(MCP). UTMCP is a ticking nomb…watch it!

    The North has been in an attempt to gain power. Do not be surprised, they think they will monopolise MCP. Time will tell.

  18. Kodi akwa Nsundwe akugwira ntchito? Masapota anu ambiri sakugwira ntchito malinga ndikusapunzira chifukwa cha nyau ndi u tenant wa fodya kumpoto. Ife tikagwira mmene tiamagwirila nthawi zonse.

  19. That’s the Chakwera we know, munthu wamkulu koma wopanda nzelu. Amaganiza ngati kutsogolela dziko kumafana ndikutsogolela mpingo. Mumpingo umatsogolela nkhosa koma mundale umatsogolela afisi, anyani, mikango ndi njoka. If you lead from the front they will bite your bums.

  21. Poor timing for opposition..that can not work, just get prepared and have enough,eligible monitors for the coming elections thats all..Other wise people can not adhere to.what you are saying. Its a waste of time and you will be laughable come friday

  22. This is irresponsible. Think about Medical doctors of your unpatriotic camp? Think about security officers of your unlawful camp in our boarders? You killed our dear hardworking police officers, now you want to kill innocent Malawians through this evil plan? You will NEVER rule this country

    1. I think if You cared so much about Lives of Malawians Bwenzi ma thousands a wantu Sakufa chifukwa chosowa Mankhwala Nzipatalamu …Ma billion Mwabawo Please bwezani tigule Mankhwala…

  23. UTM being swallowed by the evils of MCP now . Wait and see how many people will refrain from work on Friday . Muchita manyazi kuona everyone panseu wa ku office or ku factory kukagwira ntchito. Strategy imeneyo mwagwa nayo a Malunga. Inu dekhani mpaka MEC ichititse chisankho mu July Anzanuwa a DPP azakugwetseni tione ngati muzapitenso ku khoti. I feel sorry for Chilima chifukwa even if MCP /Utm Alliance carries the day which they can’t , he will hav to be VP for the next five years yet his ambition is to be president of the republic of MALAWI. Chakwera wamunamiza mnyamatayu kuti azasintha constitution to pave way for prime minister post. Zosatheka Utm UTM UTM swallowed basi into cashgate alliance with queen of cashgate-mai mtila Banda

  24. If APM thinks that he can politicise and use the Coronavirus to shut down the opposition by allowing the illegal MEC commissioners to carry on business as usual, while Malawians are being told not to gather in large groups, APM/ DPP will live to regret once the crises has passed. The virus is serious and will not spare anyone, whether the opposition or the government.

    The government is the one which will take a big hit. While the economies around the world are getting hit hard, a small economy like Malawi be affected not just by the knock-on effects of the big economies slumping but also its internal micro and macro economic challenges. The literacy levels in Malawi are too low and with the economy in tatters post Coronavirus crisis, the ratings for DPP/APM will be too low even in villages. Remember a lot of people don’t understand these things. All they will know is that the government is responsible for the crisis affecting the economy, health and many other sectors.

    Let us see who will have the last laugh.

    1. Lincoln, what about illegal MPs who won through the tippex election administered by Ansah? Don’t fool us. If MCP, UTM< HRDC and the corrupt Concourt judges were honest, the results of MPs and councillors would have been annulled too.

      1. @Munulo, what are you trying to say? Your views are pure waffle, lack objectivity and analytical thought. Go back under the stone; perhaps you will gather some sense, after your disappearing from view.

        Not really surprised though. What does one expect from a brainwashed cadet? Rubbish and mediocre comments, like the rest of the cadets here, good at spouting dross.

        All DPP cadets and their masters are absolute dregs. They all deserve to be locked up post-elections.

        #FixingTheCountryMalawi

        1. If you are not be a cadet, then you are MCP Youth/ Youth League with Kamuzu ng’ona ideology. All you think, strategize is to terrorize, shade blood, break shops. And you call this fixing the country? My foot! We fixed the country in 1993 on the referendum, I guess you were a toddler with running nose then.

          1. Another one @Mwini Muzi, if not the same Munulo, spitting out more senseless comments, deviating from scope. Read my original comment again and try to make sense (if you have any) out of it rather than making moronic comments. Be original with your views rather than waffling, like the other DPP scum.

            How are both @Mwini Muzi and @Munulos comments related to my original comment? Trying to bury your small thick skulls in the sand pretending as if you don’t know that the coronavirus crisis is not just for oppressing the opposition but it is for all, including the DPP vile scum.

            Again typical DPP dregs who have been so brainwashed by their thieving masters and cannot have a different view about the country. So thick!

            Change is happening. Like someone has said here, the writing is on the wall.

  25. Wina wa corona virus ali ready kukapumila mpweya kumeneko. I have never seen idiots like some Malawians. Today the whole world is crying yet you want people to go out while there is corona virus. ?
    I urge those with coughing corona signs should be near Mtambo,Chakwera and Chilima during demos.
    What a devil sent Reverend (Chakwera)

    1. Koma ma Cadet …Akutitu anthu akhale pa Nyumba kuli Koronao kkkkk Inu muli ayi tipitabe ku ntchito ….Just Trying to think like a Cadet ….Ndiye ku Ntchitoko simukapumiranako Korona…..

  26. Ngati kuli zitsilu paMalawi ndie Chakwela ,munthu oti sadzalamula pano paMalawi. Zao ine ndi nambewe muchiuze chinyalala chaku Living Stonia,chija chopanda nzelu zachibadwa George Phiri.

    1. Ngati pali Chitsilu ndi Mbuli yeni yeni pa dziko lonse la pand ndiweyo Habib Shaibu. You are a disgrace to the woman who gave you birth and a Shame to Malawi Nation.

  28. Totally Irensiposible to be Encouraging big gatherings of people when the whole world is gripped with Covid – 19 pandemic. The opposition has lost its way. That is putting people’s lives at risk. I hope the people see sense and stay in their homes. Furthermore, the police must not allow such gathering.

      1. Sums up your Nsundwe mentality of Chakwera and MCP, Chilima and UTM, HRDC and Concourt judges. You think we are fools. The whole world is suffering with corona-virus, economies are about to go into recession. What is Malawi to be boycotting work when we have a poor economy.

        1. @Cathy, again you are another knee-jerk DPP scum missing the whole point. Read and read again and again. Time and time again, got to remind these DPP vile to read.

          Where does the article say that UTM/MCP are encouraging people to gather in large groups according to your ignorant colleague Che Peter?

          Ignorance is so rife at DPP; that is why they cannot see beyond their glasses.

          The country is poor because your DPP mafia colleagues who are stealing taxes meant for development. An obvious statement reminding the DPP crooks like you. Malawians are suffering and ignorant people like you Cathy are out there to support thieves. You are the people making Malawi poor. We want change.

  29. A group of lunatics who want to get into power by all means. Some of us work and do not eat on your useless politics. Instead of preparing for the elections you are asking people to do stupid things. This is like in a football match when a team knows it will loose they start bringing issues of juju as an excuse. MCP has the most stupid leadership, last time Chakwera said he could not work with recycled politicians yet this time he has plenty of them and almost adopted the whole cash gate league together with their queen and now without shame they have taken on board a thief who stole from them the 2014 elections.

    1. Thugs are the ones in power now who are trying to cling to power while the majority don’t want them. We are fixing this country. Absolute pathetic DPP gangsters who are afraid of facing the music once they are out of the government.

      2. You are not fixing the country. If you wanted to fix the country you would have accepted that everyone who was elected in last years election should have their results annulled. STUPID people.

  32. Tizaona Times TV, Times Radio ngati zizakhale zosaulutsa mau tsiku lonse ndiye tizadziwa kuti anthu sanapite kuntchito. Apo bi tizapita basi.

  33. As a representative of all employers in this country, I am saying all workers who shall abscond from work on Friday should not be paid their Friday wage. No work no pay. Any employers must be free to punish such absent employees for contravening terms of contract or terms of engagement. Tell such absent employees to be paid the Friday wage by UTMCP.

    Nawe iwe ngati usakuifunadi ntchito (yosowayi) udzajombe on Friday. Town sisunga kape.

    I can now see UTM ili bize kudzola nawo matope a MCP. Remember that Malawians are watching you keenly. By continuing on the path of fear mongering, intimidation and destruction, UTMCP are actually making themselves less plausible and the DPP more and more popular.

    Nyekhwe ija ndiimeneyitu anganya a opposition inu.

    1. Who are you to tell us we won’t get paid? Ubiba uwona. Nkhalamba yanu ichoka basi chaka chake ndi chino. No tippex no surrender!

    2. Have you Ever seen Rich People fighting for Freedom ….They think of their Stomach first …Mkuona even in 1964 we had well to do People ,those in good Positions Supporting Azungu ati Asatipase Independence- Ma kapirikoni alipo Ndipo azakhalapobe …But they are the Ones who always Reap the Fruits ….

      1. We have freedom we fought in 1964. Which freedom are you fighting for? If you are lazy to do business, you will be ever disappointed till your death. We the seasoned business people have survived the MCP ng’ona government that used to beg, destroy our property but we survived though we never grew. From UDF and DPP governments, we are just fine and our resilience and hard work has paid off. I can’t imagine wasting my vote to ng’ona party which has already started destroying businesses taking us back to our memories, shame on you insane Reverend leader.

  36. What an idiotic decision by Chakwera, UTM and partners. The world is boiling due to coronavirus and all you think is chisankho. FOTSEKI. A stupidly power hungry pastor.

  40. koma ndiye mwationjeza mene akuvutira kusaka ganyuyu ndiye mwati ndijombe ku ntchito? kodi ku supreme court mukuopako cani? tangodilirani pajatu ma judge/lawyers ali mbali yanu. inu mwagwiritsa ntchito mphavu mulekeni APM agwiritse ntchito malamulo. Nyekwe ina pompano ikubwera kkkkkk

    1. Why? Politicians are causing anarchy and blame it on another politicians and u are buying in to that. Come on be reasonable folks

  42. If my memory serves me well, among the commissioners of MEC there are representatives from PP, MCP, UTM, and others, if they are mean about this why not encourage their representatives to resign as examples and proceed with the rage by saying the other commissioners should follow suit. that would have made a lot of sense.

    1. I am surprised why Mary Nkosi is still at the commission yet he was trying to be a good girl during the hearing.

      1. Because she has been advised kuti Akhalabe Azitoona kuti MBAVAZO zitopanga Chani ….Mutofuna achoke Mbava Zizipanga Zao Mumasuka …?

  43. As long as CHILIMA is not standing as torchbearer for the alliance I withhold my vote. Chilima and UTM have the best manifesto which if Chilima will not be the torchbearer he will not go full throtol to implement the UTM manifesto in MCP’s lead govt, however I personally want CALISTA MUTHARIKA to come to the open and tell us what she meant by saying Chilima is right leader for Malawi against Mutharika did she mean that Chilima should second somebody else like Chakwera or Chilima alone is enough.
    Akweni, Patricia Kaliyati are you sure and comfortable that Chilima should second Chakwera, I am not going to vote at all if that is the case.

  45. Kodi munatilemba ntchito ndi inu. KUIPA MTIMA KOTELEKU BWANJI. Kwasala kuti mukatiponye ku ma crocodiles ku stella maris.Ine Sindinalembedwe ntchito ndi KONGERESI OR UTM.

  46. zizindikiro zogonja chisankho chisanachitike ,ndi chifukwa chiyani mumagwiritsa ntchito kuopseza boma mukafuna kuti maganizo anu oipawo amveke koma ulendo uno mukumana nazo tiyeni chitani matama anuwo

  47. ” calling on all our supporters to stay away from work on friday” Only those are employed by MCP or UTM will abscond their duties on friday. But the employees of other organisations other than MCP/UTM will not. You politicians sitimadya kwanu

    1. Corona virus is coming and no one will have not choice and they will all stay home like in many other countries. Be sensible and let us see how things end

  48. stupid idea kodi bwanji mufuna chisokonezo. our economy is cash based and not credit based hence if people stay home they won’t have anything to eat. you opposition idiots always decide based on your constipation. plus concourt is lower court and can be overruled by supreme court. why behaving as if that small court ruling was final. ana a njoka inu ofuna chisokonezo

    1. Ngati chisankha sichinayendetsedwe bwino nullification inayenera kupita kwa onse ma MP MA COUNCILLOR NDI PRESISDENT chifukwa a mec anayedetsa zosezi.Munthu sanganene kuti manyiwa sianga koma mkozowu ndine malo ake amodzimodzi omwewo.It doesnt make sense.Masankho achitike kwa onse osati a president okha otherwise the judgement was objective.

      1. Mr. Concerned Cadet, ma MP amene anakhudzidwa anapita ku court ndipo zigamulo zinapelekedwa kapena ndiwe mlendo muno mu Yerasalem? You think pamene wina anyera kale winanso sangazakodze pambalipo or vice versa? Kungagiza ngati nkhuku bwanji? Don’t you know that it is possible kungobapo katundu wina nkusiya wina from the same place? Umaba chimenea uli nacho ndi interest like the case at hand. Waphunzira school yaulere lero but next time I will charge you. Idiot, ndakwiya kwambiri kwambiri, chonchooo, tamvanaaaa?

        1. There is no sensible logic to nullify presidential election results and not do the same with MPs and councillors. That is why the Opposition has failed to change the constitution. Concourt judgement foolishly failed to realise the constitutional ramifications of its ruling. Their judgment exposes how corrupt and incompetent our judges are and the judiciary is.

    2. KkkkKkkkk mesa ndinu madolo KkkkKkkkk chilima Paja mumati cabinet munasalamo 2 Bwanji simunangambirane KkkkKkkkk Let me tell you avota ndi amalawi osati athu akwasudwe okha

      2. Idiots like you are what have made what Malawi is now. No drugs at Central Medical stores and still supporting failures. Where is the intelligence here? Imbecile!

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