Parliament meets in ‘extra time’ to avert Malawi constitutional crisis

Parliament is meeting in extra time proceedings to avert a deep Constitutional crisis following Thursday’s shooting down of a constitutional amendment to have a provision for a run-off in case no presidential candidate garners over 50 percent of the total votes cast.

Speaker Gotani Hara walks in parliament 

Speaker of parliament Catherine Gotani Hara announced after Minister of Finance, Economic Planning and Development Joseph Mwanamvekha presented the mid year budget after mid day on Friday that the members of parliament would be meeting at 2pm for the proceedings.

Parliament adjourns at 12:30pm every Friday for the special proceedings.

Chairperson of the Legal Affairs Committee of parliament Kezzie Msukwa said in an interview that his committee had asked for the meeting following the shooting down of the Constitutional amendments bills.

“We have been having serious discussions with the House leadership because the failure to pass the bills has thrown the country into a Constitutional crisis,” he said.

Among others, the failure to pass the bills means the country has no date for the Constitutional Court sanctioned fresh presidential election, it means if any presidential candidate fails to amass 50+1 votes cast, president Peter Mutharika will remain state president and Saulos Chilima, state vice president.

Msukwa was upbeat that the bills would be passed today ahead of the court deadline for the bills to be passed which elapses on Monday.

In its judgement of the presidential election case on 3rd February,2020,the Constitutional Court clarified that Section 80(2) of the constitution already provides for the 50+1 system of voting but asked legislators to come up with a law that would necessitate a run-off in case no candidate gets over half of the total votes.

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Mtete
Mtete
4 years ago

Which Arm of Government decides we should have a Referendum? We need one without delay otherwise DPP will continue pussyfooing, much to the annoyance of the majority of Malawians who want things to change. APM and DPP are cornered and want to use every trick in the book to derail progress.

Kandulu
Kandulu
4 years ago

There will be completely no constitutional crisis. Many Malawians who are seeing a constitutional crisis are just confused. Under the current 50 plus 1 law, the parties with most votes can go to Supreme Court and ask to form a government. This means that there will be no rerun. Chakwera must agree with Chilima to form a government of majority of the people of Malawi. What we have at the moment is a minority government which is illegal. This is the reason Chilima was asked in the court if he is ready to give his votes? Chilima as things stand… Read more »

The Insurgent
4 years ago

Actually, there is no need to pass the bills! The alternative is what i will do next.

Super power
Super power
4 years ago

Again as I said these other greedy MPs want to derail the progress of Malawi. WE HAVE TO HAVE A REFERANDUM ON THIS ONE. IT IS SETTLED.

Munyasiwa
Munyasiwa
4 years ago

Court contempt basi anjatidwe amene akukana, a kufuna kubweretsa chisokonezo. Tidzavote pamodzi ndi president akawachotsa pa mpando. Period!

MASO ENA
MASO ENA
4 years ago

KOMA ZOVALA ZACHITSAMUNDAZI ZIDZACHOKA LITI?

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