LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) has declined to comment on a court case challenging President Peter Mutharika’s decision to relocate the commission’s headquarters from Lilongwe to Blantyre.
The MEC’s Director of Media and Public Relations, Sangwani Mwafulirwa, responded to a request for comment from The Maravi Post by questioning whether it would be appropriate to comment on a matter before the courts.
“We received a questionnaire from The Maravi Post seeking comment on the matter, but we are unable to comment as it is sub judice,” Mwafulirwa said.
The MEC has filed a court case challenging the President’s decision to relocate the commission, citing concerns about the impact on its independence and operations.
The Maravi Post had asked the MEC a series of questions about the case, including whether the commission believed the President’s decision was an attempt to interfere with its work, and how it planned to ensure its independence in the face of political pressure.
The MEC’s refusal to comment on the case has raised concerns about transparency and accountability in the country’s electoral process.
The relocation of the MEC’s headquarters has been a contentious issue in Malawi, with opposition parties and some civil society groups accusing the President of trying to undermine the commission’s independence.
The case is expected to be heard in court in the coming weeks, and the outcome is likely to have significant implications for the country’s electoral process and the independence of its institutions.