Chakwera to Resign as Lilongwe North West Legislator to Comply with The Constitution Ahead of Fresh Elections

Member of Parliament for Lilongwe North West Constituency Lazarus Chakwera is expected to lender his resignation as an MP as he is vying for a presidential post in the fresh presidential polls.

Chakwera who is a leader for Malawi Congress Party (MCP) was the second petitioner in the presidential elections case of which the Constitutional Court ruled in favor of the petitioners.

According to the Constitution, section 80 (7) “No person shall be eligible for nomination as a candidate for election as a President or First-Vice President or for appointment as First-Vice President or Second Vice President if that person is a holder of a public office or a member of parliament unless that person resigns”

Therefore, speaker of the August House Catherine Gotani Hara is expected to announce a notice of vacancy of the seat of Lilongwe North West constituency where Chakwera was holding in accordance to section 63 (2) of the Constitution.

Chakwera is likely to reclaim his seat if things go otherwise in the fresh elections through by-elections that will be conducted to fill the vacant post in the area.

May 19, 2020 has been set aside as the date for the fresh election following nullification of the May 21, 2019 presidential elections by the Constitutional Court on February 3, this year.