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Chiefs petition court on elections

Traditional leaders mostly from the Southern Region yesterday petitioned electoral stakeholders through the High Court of Malawi to resolve the impasse following the May 20 Tripartite Elections in a manner that guarantees post-election peace.

Led by Senior Chief Malemia of Zomba, about 15 chiefs presented their petition to the registrar of the High Court of Malawi and Malawi Supreme Court of Appeal Joseph Chigona in Blantyre.

Chiefs
Chiefs

Chigona said the petition is not addressed to the Judiciary per se.

He said: “It’s not meant for the Judiciary only. It is addressed to MEC [Malawi Electoral Commission], Judiciary and all political parties on nation-building.”

In an interview before presenting the petition, Malemia said the views were shared by traditional leaders across the country, arguing the May 20 vote lacks credibility.

Said Malemia: “Chiefs are going to present petitions at High Court [registries] in all the regions. In the petitions, we are asking the Judiciary, political parties and all the other electoral stakeholders to ensure post-election peace.

“They [stakeholders] need to stand up for the common good. As leaders of society, we feel compelled to take a leading role to ensure the country is not thrown into post-election chaos.”

MEC has been embroiled in court battles with contesting presidential candidates and political parties in the May 20 Tripartite Elections, with some urging MEC to withhold the results and investigate anomalies.

The High Court is scheduled to deliver judgement this afternoon on whether MEC can recount the votes before announcing official results.

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2 Comments

  1. Thats what the MEC want. People are now starting loosing their patience. What will come tomorrow MEC doesnt know. MEC’s enefficiency right from the registration period and Chnkwita’s love of money. Chinkwita should the most ashamed member since as he is the only one who has experience in MEC having been in the commission in the past time.

  2. Stupid Malawian Chiefs, they are always used by politicians. I was saddened to see Kyungu endorsing JB. Some of these chiefs need to be dethroned now.

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