By Pempho Kantayeni:
Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) Chairperson Justice Annabel Mtalimanja has announced that the Commission aims to finalize the announcement of parliamentary election results by Tuesday, September 30.
She was speaking at the National Tally Centre at the Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) in Lilongwe Monday evening.
Mtalimanja noted that elections in several constituencies were suspended and will require re-runs due to various issues.
In Blantyre West Constituency, the election was halted following the death of a Malawi Congress Party (MCP) candidate, Michael Isaac Chisala.
In Nkhotakota Liwaladzi, the process was paused after candidate Daniel Binda petitioned the court to review MEC’s decision to reject his nomination papers, citing underpayment of nomination fees.
Similarly, in Dedza Mtakataka Constituency, Dr Charles Sandramu challenged MEC’s rejection of his nomination papers on the same grounds, prompting a judicial review.
Meanwhile, in Lilongwe Mtandire-Mtsiriza Constituency, although voting took place, MEC has nullified the results.
The decision followed a complaint regarding the handling of invalid votes, which were reportedly opened at the district council level contrary to MEC’s established procedures.
“All invalid votes must be processed through a proper procedure. In this case, they were opened at the district council, which violates our rules. As a result, the Commission has resolved to conduct a fresh election in the constituency,” said Mtalimanja.
