BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)—The Legal Affairs Committee of parliament has written the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) to have the electoral body gazette 23 June, 2020 as the date on which the fresh presidential poll shall be held.
Chairperson of the Legal Affairs Committee Kezzie Msukwa said as committee which is responsible for the legal matters in the national assembly they have unanimously settled for 23 June as the date for the election.
Initially MEC proposed 2 July as a date for the fresh presidential poll but changed tune after the Supreme Court of Appeal ruling in the election appeal case in which the electoral body and President Peter Mutharika wanted the highest court to overturn the ruling of the Constitutional Court which nullified the 2019 presidential poll due to widespread irregularities.
MEC, during a meeting with National Elections Consultative Forum (NECOF) which comprises all election stakeholders in the country last week, announced that in view of the Supreme Court’s ruling on May 8 the Commission had revised the fresh presidential election date to June 23 from July 2.
Meanwhile, President Mutharika is expected to notify the Judicial Service Commission to nominate judges for consideration of appointment of MEC chairperson following the resignation of Justice Jane Ansah from the position.
Presidential press secretary Mgeme Kalilani in an interview said the President will appoint new commissioners and that the Office of President and Cabinet (OPC) will communicate to the Judicial Service Commission this week about the stepping aside of MEC chairperson Jane Ansah.
He says the president is treating the matter with the urgency it deserves.
