MEC, APM demand costs for research
The historic elections petition case at the Constitutional Court in Lilongwe took a dramatic turn on Thursday, which saw the immediate past vice-president Saulos Chilima withdrawing all his 34 remaining witnesses.
The development, although done in the interest of an expedited trial according to Chikosa Silungwe, one of the lawyers representing Chilima, compelled lawyers representing first respondent Peter Mutharika and Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC), to demand costs from Chilima as they invested on research and prepared for the case based on sworn statements the withdrawn witnesses filed.
Parties involved, Frank Mbeta for Mutharika and Tamando Chokotho for MEC, on one side, and Silungwe on the other side, submitted on why they should be paid costs or why they should not be ordered to pay costs and the court reserved its ruling to a later date.
The court was ready to start hearing the second petitioner’s testimony, Malawi Congress Party (MCP) presidential hopeful, Lazarus Chakwera, but the parties, with endorsement of the court, collectively agreed that the case be adjourned to Tuesday next week to give them ample time prepare.
