Malawi Presidential election case: Women lawyers say President must not be sworn in before electoral disputes are resolved

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The Women Lawyers Association (WLA) on Thursday morning finished its submission this morning.

The group, the friends of the court has also asked the court that when making its ruling, it should make a few recommendations on law reforms in its final judgement.

Among the recommendations, the WLA says it wants a change in the electoral law to the effect that presidential election disputes, should be resolved before the President – elect is sworn in.

Additionally, on burden of proof, WLA says there should be ammendments in the existing law to make it clear that the burden of proof should be both to petitioners and MEC.

Justice Kapindu is engaging WLA representative, Bernadette Malunga, on the proposals they want the court to include in its judgement.

Kapindu had inquired whether it would be correct for the court to make such proposals in light of separation of powers provisions under the constitution.

The constitutional court continues hearing oral submissions from both parties; UTM, Malawi Congress Party (MCP), President Peter Mutharika and Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC).

Lloyd M’bwana

I’m a Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resource (LUANAR)’s Environmental Science graduate (Malawi) and UK’s ICM Journalism and Media studies scholar. Also University of Malawi (UNIMA) Library Science Scholar. I have been The Malawi Country Manager and duty editor for the Maravi Post since 2019. My duty editor’s job is to ensure that the news is covered properly, that it is delivered on time, and that it is created to the standards set out in the editorial guidelines of the Maravi Post.