Analyst advise MEC to postpone Lilongwe south by-election

A political analyst from the University of Livingstonia, George Phiri, has advised the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) to wait for the court outcome of the electoral case before holding by-election in Lilongwe south.

MEC is set to hold a parliamentary by-election in Lilongwe South Constituency on November 5, which were postponed following the death of UTM candidate, Agnes Penemulungu, in the run up to the May 21 tripartite elections.

Phiri was commenting following a stand by the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) and UTM who are rejecting the planned by-elections by the electoral body on grounds of mutual trust.

“The decision by the political parties is a welcome move because of the issues of integrity since the same MEC was responsible for the May 21 elections that are currently being contested in court.” Phiri said

Phiri further said if the two major political parties will not be part of the elections then there is no need for the electoral body to conduct the election.

MCP Secretary General, Eisenhower Mkaka and UTM Publicist, Chidanti Malaunga, both told the media that MEC should consider not holding the by-election until the presidential results case is concluded.

MCP and UTM leaders are challenging the results of May 21 presidential elections claiming that they were rigged in favour of President Peter Mutharika who was declared winner.

UTM Parliamentary candidate for Lilongwe South Constituency, Agnes Penemulungu, died on April 29, three weeks to the May 21 election.

YFM