UTM, MCP Drag Mutharika to Court for Failing to Fire MEC Commissioners

United Transformation Movement (UTM) and Malawi Congress Party (MCP) have filed a case against President Peter Mutharika for failing to fire Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) commissioners who were found incompetent by Constitutional Court.

Saulos Chilima and Lazarus Chakwera leaders of UTM and MCP respectively, have also dragged MEC commissioners to court over their refusal to resign despite calls from various stakeholders.

Public Appointment Committee (PAC) of Parliament also found the Commissioners incompetent after a one to one assessment on the role they played in the May 21, 2019 presidential elections.

The state vice president has also asked for an injunction to restrain MEC Commissioners from discharging their duties in the forthcoming presidential elections.

Lead lawyer for Chilima, Counsel Chikosa Silungwe has confirmed the development saying they are waiting to hear from the court on the day they will start hearing the case.

According to Silungwe, the continued staying in office by the Commissioners is unconstitutional considering that the Constitutional Court found them incompetent to run MEC affairs.

Mutharika refused to fire Ansah and all commissioners despite PAC recommended him to do so.

The country is expected to go to polls on July 2 for fresh presidential elections following Court order that the fresh polls should be conducted within the period of 150 days.

Meanwhile MEC chairperson Jane Ansah and all commissioners have said they are ready to run the fresh polls.