MEC flip flops, withdraws letter to parliament for fear of contempt

Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) has withdrawn a letter to Public Appointment Committee of Parliament which summoned the Commission to appear before it on Monday, February 10, saying they will now proceed to attend the meeting, other than ducking it for fear of contempt of court.

High Court judges, who heard the presidential elections case, found that there were massive irregularities in the May 21 2019 presidential election which saw President Peter Mutharika re-elected with 38 percent of the vote.

The court also ordered Parliament to take appropriate legislative measures to ensure that the significance of the certainty which is brought by fixing the date of the general election under Section 67 (1) of the Constitution is preserved.

It also ordered that the Public Appointments Committee of Parliament should, in line with Section 75 (4) of the Constitution, inquire into the capacity and competence of MEC’s current commissioners to oversee the fresh election.

Again, the court ordered that Parliament must, within 21 days from the date of the ruling, make appropriate provisions for holding of a presidential runoff in the event that no single candidate secures the constitutional majority under Section 80 (2) of the Constitution as interpreted by the court.

Alfandika

After widespread condemnation on different social media platforms, including by some prominent legal minds , Chief Elections Officer Sam Alfandika has withdrawn the letter and will let the electoral body officials  appear before Parliament committe.

The decision has been made for fear of contempt of court as the ruling is in force until another order of the court.

In the Monday judgement, judges Healey Potani, Dingiswayo Madise, Mike Tembo, Redson Kapindu and Ivy Kamanga, said they acknowledged that there were three constitutional questions that were central in the determination of the matter, adding that in to determining the constitutional questions, the court was also called upon to determine and dispose of all other issues raised in the petitions.

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Francis
Francis
4 years ago

MEC took us for granted. What a mess? Why were these Commissioners not included in courts testimonies as decision makers in the first place?

BigMan
BigMan
4 years ago

Just resign please, spare us the tussle.

Precious Lekan
Precious Lekan
4 years ago

you see now, here is the result of appointing commissioners based on party affiliates, tribe and religion. Instead of having Malawi electoral commission rather we have malawi electoral confusion.

Pewani
Pewani
4 years ago
Reply to  Precious Lekan

The aim was to have transparency but now things have changed.

Kandulu
Kandulu
4 years ago

Parliament must recomend sending all commissioners to Zomba mental hospital for check up. Malawi needs to know what we are really dealing with here. They appear all insane.

Nicolous
Nicolous
4 years ago
Reply to  Kandulu

They should be fired

Mbuzi
Mbuzi
4 years ago

Now I believe MEC is not taking this seriously, they think it’s a joke or they think they are above the law

Mbuzi
Mbuzi
4 years ago

Are these grown men and women or kids,

Forgive them
Forgive them
4 years ago

Kkkkkkk,
Koma chizungu choti idiot,chimandimaliza kwabasi,☺☺

Vilhomwe Ndivimbuli
4 years ago

Alfandika, big thief, dustbin CEO, lost in his own house. Plus Mrs Pat on the Back Zwee mutu.. These chickens thought they can be clever. They have appealed and say they need more time. Foolish

Shaka
Shaka
4 years ago

SHOWS THAT JANE ANSAH IS NOT A GOOD LAWYER . ACTUALLY SHE IS AN OUTDATED LAWYER .AAPWETEKESA THE SO CALLED COMMISSIONERS .
THE WRITING IS NOW ON THE WALL THAT HER BRAIN IS TOTALLY COVERED WITH SHIT . SHE THOUGHT SHE WAS CLEVER BUT NOW MALAWI IS BIGGER THAN HER.

Nil
Nil
4 years ago

Akut samafuna kupita chifukwa sanamalize kuwerenga 500 pages ija. Nde apanga bwanji appeal zoti sanamalize kuwerenga? Nde nkumati appeal ikayenda???

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