MCP refuses to accept Lilongwe south east by-election

Main opposition Malawi Congress Party (MCP) says it will not accept Malawi Electoral Commission decision to turn the Lilongwe south east election rerun into a by-election.

MCP acting spokesperson Eisenhower Mkaka said a rerun and a by-election are two different elections altogether.

“The Supreme Court ordered a rerun and we want a rerun. If they don’t understand what a rerun is, let MEC go back to the court and ask for its interpretation,” said Mkaka.

He said in a rerun, no new entrants would be allowed to compete in the election whilst in a by-election, new competitors would be allowed with new voters registered.

MEC chairperson Jane Ansah said the pollster has to go for a by-election because there is no law in the country which provides for an election rerun.

The Lilongwe south east and Lilongwe Mapuyu south by-elections are expected to be held on June 6 at a cost of K500 million.