D-Day for Malawi as election results challenge ruling nears

  • Opposition party alleges elections were rigged
  • Judges to rule on opposition application on February 3

THE contested Malawi-election results will next week reach finality with the Malawi High Court set to give its ruling.

In a communique released by Malawi High Court assistant registrar Tuesday, the judgment will be handed down on February 3 at the Lilongwe District Registry premises.

The matter was brought before the courts after main opposition Malawi Congress Party (MCP) and the United Transformation Movement (UTM) lodged complaints of alleged fraud in the May 21 vote. 

The court is now going to pass judgment on whether the current President of Malawi fairly won the elections or not.

Complainants in this case are Saulosi Chilima and Lazarus Chakwera.

Opposition partylies have been vociforous in demanding the resignation of the electoral body chief who they blame of rigging votes in favour of incumbent Peter Mutharika.

Since Malawi’s independence from Britain in 1964, presidential election results have never been challenged in the courts.

Part of the communique read: Take notice that the full court shall deliver its judgment in this matter on February 3 at 09:00 hours at Lilongwe District Registry of the High Court of Malawi.