MANGOCHI-(MaraviPost)-Strong indicators that the petitioner, Gerald Kazembe, in the Mangochi Monkey Bay Parliamentary election dispute case has a strong one against both respondents, the Malawi Electral Commission (MEC) and politician Ralph Jooma continue to sharpen as the High Court in Blantyre has, for the second time, has turned down two applications made by respondents to throw out the case.
The presiding Judge, Justice Maclean Kamwambe turned down the applications, which lawyers representing MEC and Ralph Jooma during the Wednesday’s court session that was heard in chamber.
Starring paramount in the petitions was request by lawyers for the both respondents, who asked court to throw out the case, on grounds that, the petitions had failed to comply with the 7-day requirement within which to file the petition after the court order of 29th August, 2019 in accordance with expedited procedure of election matters.
Following the second rebuff, court has subsequently ordered that the case be heard in full trial from next month on October 21.
Kazembe wants the official results of the May 21 Parliamentary Polls in the particular constituency nullified on the basis that, he (Kazembe) is the legitimate victor.
In essence, Kazembe through his legal representatives talks of an election that was shockingly marred with many irregularities, thus translating to apparent rigging of the election with the usage of correctional fluid on results sheets to alter figures and fake ballot papers as the key observed anomalies.
As a result of the anomalies, despite raising concerns formally as was required by the electoral complaints procedure, MEC ignored everything and went ahead to announce that the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Candidate, Ralph Jooma had won the election, a move which was highly disputed by Kazembe who contested on Malawi Congress Party (MCP) ticket.
In the legal battle waged in pursuit for the truth, Kazembe who has vowed to visualize the sail of justice with court’s intervention, is being represented by attorneys Justin Dzonzi and Henry Ngutwa.
