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Confusion has engulfed the National Assembly over the recent ruling by the Supreme Court of Appeal firing Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Member of Parliament for Lilongwe South East Bentley Namasasu.
The Supreme Court of Appeal on Monday nullified the 2014 Parliamentary elections for Lilongwe South East.
The court went further by asking the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) to hold a re-run where Malawi Congress Party (MCP) candidate Ulemu Msungama will face off Namasasu.
Speaking in an interview with the press, Parliament’s Chief Public Relations Officer, Leonard Mengezi said Parliament is on the tight corner on the matter.
“That has never happened before. It is a complicated issue. We will wait for the judgement and seek legal interpretation. We will comment better after that,” he said.
The ruling has also placed Parliament in an awkward on what to Namasasu’s benefits, and loans, if he has any.
Parliament faced a similar situation in 2009, when former Speaker, Henry Chimunthu Banda declared Machinga South East constituency seat vacant following the conviction of its MP Reverend Wilson Ndomondo, of assault and malicious damage.
Although by-elections were held in the constituency and won by United Democratic Front (UDF) candidate Donnex Mpuzeni, Ndomondo successfully appealed against his conviction.
The situation meant that the constituency technically had two MPs. But Ndomondo did not return to Parliament. He decided to fight for his benefits in court.
