President Lazarus Chakwera and Malawi Congress Party (MCP) have withdrawn their application for a judicial review of the presidential election results in the September 16 General Election.
The High Court of Malawi had on Tuesday granted Chakwera and MCP permission to start judicial review proceedings on the results, but rejected the party’s application for an order to stop Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) from announcing the results until their complaints were addressed.
But in an interview yesterday, MCP spokesperson Jessie Kabwila said \that they have made the decision following Chakwera’s concession of defeat in the September 16 presidential election.
“The case started by President Chakwera and MCP shall be withdrawn because he has conceded defeat in the election,” she said.
Chakwera and MCP sought a court order to stop announcement of presidential election results.
Presiding High Court Judge Howard Pemba dismissed the application for a restraining order, but granted Chakwera and MCP permission to apply for judicial review on the matter.
Subsequently, MEC chairperson Annabel Mtalimanja on Wednesday evening proceeded to announce the results that declared Democratic Progressive Party presidential candidate Peter Mutharika as the winner.
Civil Society Elections Integrity Forum chairperson Benedicto Kondowe, in an interview yesterday, described Chakwera’s decision and that of MCP as a profound act of statesmanship.
He said by aligning their legal steps with the spirit of his concession, the President has reinforced the message that the will of the people must prevail above everything.
Political Science Association spokesperson Mavuto Bamusi said the decision means that MCP has conceded defeat unconditionally, adding that it paves the way for a smooth transition of power.
During announcement of the results in Lilongwe, Mtalimanja, a judge of the High Court, said all complaints received were considered and determined and responses were sent to complainants in writing.
