Analysts Say Demos Cannot Influence Election Case Outcome

Analysts on good governance have argued that demonstrations that are taking place in the country have nothing to do with the results of the election case that is scheduled to start on august 8 in Lilongwe by the Constitutional court.

Associate Professor of Law at the Chancellor College Edge Kanyongolo emphasizes that demonstrations cannot influence the outcome of the electoral case.

Concurring with Kanyongolo, governance expert Henry Chingaipe emphasized that the court is capable of handling the elections case without any external force.

The remarks of the two came in following Attoney general’s argument that the demonstrations are in pre-judice to the election case.

Strengthen his move, the AG made an application to the high court to stop further post-election protests.

Responding to AG’s move, the organizers of the peaceful protests, Human rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) agreed to battle with the AG in court.

The court in Lilongwe is yet to give its ruling on the matter, whether HRDC should continue with the demonstrations or not.

HRDC has been holding a series of protest across the country calling for the resignation of Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) chairwoman Jane Ansah for allegedly mismanaging May 21 tripartite elections.

The election case is expected to start on August 8, whereby United Transformation Movement (UTM) leader Saulos Chilima and Malawi Congress Party President Lazarus Chakwera are challenging the presidential results.

MEC declared President Peter Mutharika winner of the disputed May 21 elections followed by MCP’s Lazarus Chakwera and Saulos Chilima of UTM on second and third positions respectively.