Tag Archives: Bentley Namasasu

Politics

Bentley Namasasu appointed as deputy ambassador to Japan

Special Absalom

President Peter Mutharika. has appointed Bentley Namasasu as deputy Ambassador of Malawi to Japan.

This is according to a press statement dated 15 September, 2017 and signed by Chief Secretary to the Government, Lloyd Muhura.

“I would like to advise that it has pleased His Excellency Professor Arthur Mutharika, President of the Republic of Malawi to appoint Mr Bentley Namasasu as Deputy Ambassador of the Republic of Malawi to Japan,” reads part of the statement.

Namasasu was Member of Parliament (MP) for Lilongwe City South East from May 2014 under the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), until the court nullified his position after it was challenged by the main opposition Malawi Congress Party (MCP) shadow MP, Ulemu Musangama.

Malawi Electoral Commission declared the area vacant and called for by-election that will take place next month.

Maravi Post has established that Namasasu planned to stand again in the by-election, which is expected to be held ?on 17th October, 2017? on theDPP ticket.

However, after failing to win the primary election, Namasasu vowed to stand on an independent ticket.

According to media reports, the ruling DPP advised Namasasu to stop competing in the by-election, to pave way to the candidate who won the primary election; he did.

Commenting on Namasasu’s appointment, youth activist Steven Simsokwe described it as a reward for him, especially for accepting not to stand as an independent candidate in the October by-election.

“The appointment is not because Namasasu is qualified for the position but it is an appeasement,” said Simsokwe.

According to him, such kind of appointments affects the country’s development and urged President Mutharika to stop.

Government is yet to comment on Simsokwe’s remarks.

Politics

MESN call for the establishment of Special Electoral Court in Malawi 

Maravi Post correspondent 1 Comment
Staven Duwa

The Malawi Electoral Support Network (MESN), said there is need to establish a special court that would deal with electoral issues in the country.

Speaking to the media this past week, MESN chairperson Steve Duwa said the proposed court would help to speed up electoral cases.
He said the current judicial houses delay the handling of electoral cases.
“Electoral cases need to be handled swiftly. And at MESN, we believe that the proposed court would help to speed up such cases,” Duwa said.
Duwa gave the example of the case involving the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) candidate Ulemu Msungama, and the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) candidate Bentley Namasasu, which has been in the court for over two years.
A renowned political analyst, Blessings Chinsinga supports the idea.
He said it would help in dealing with all electoral conflicts accordingly and in good time.
Some political parties such as the Alliance for Democracy (AFORD). and the Malawi Congress Party (MCP), support the proposal saying it is a good idea.
Politics

Lilongwe South East poll rerun: Mec pleads for funding and patience

Maravi Post correspondent
Namasasu (L) and Msungama (R)

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The Malawi Supreme Court of Appeals order for the re-run of the Lilongwe City South East Constituency parliamentary elections has put the Malawi Electoral Commission (Mec) in a fix to source funds for the exercise.

Apart from seeking funding, the Mec is also concerned if the modality of electoral laws will allow it conduct the re-run as demanded by the court.

But electoral stakeholders and opposition political parties have challenged the electoral body to find the funds and consult widely for the exercise to take place.

In a press statement released on Tuesday and made available to The Maravi Post, Mec while welcoming the court’s order, said it is putting in place measures to hold the re-run as soon as possible.

The electoral body says it respects the ruling after it declared Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) candidate Bantly Namasasu winner against Malawi Congress Party (MCP) candidate Ulemu Msungama, who challenged the 2014 tripartite elections results.

The commission notes that the exercise will be the first in the electoral history of the country, saying holding of the election involves the engagement of several public offices and holding the re-run will depend on how fast the other institutions can assist to the process.

“Stakeholders should be assured that it has always been in the interest of the commission to fill up vacancies once they arise as soon as possible so people in constituencies and wards continue to enjoy representation in Parliament and councils respectively.

“The commission is appealing for patience, understanding, and support from all electoral stakeholders in this process as has always been in the case”, reads the statement signed by Thandie Nkovole, Mec’s Acting Chief Elections Officer.

Malawi Electoral Support Network (Mesn) Chairperson Steven Duwa has however advised the Mec to consult the Attorney-General on electoral laws and submit its budget to the treasury for the re-run.

All major opposition political parties including United Democratic Front (UDF), People’ Party (PP), and MCP have quashed the commission’s complaint of lack funds for the exercise.

There were seven candidates including three independents who competed in the constituency in the 2014 polls.

Politics

Malawi Supreme Court Orders LL South East Poll Rerun  

Maravi Post correspondent

 

Namasasu (L) and Msungama (R)

BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)–Malawi Supreme Court, the final court of appeal, on Monday ordered a rerun of elections in Lilongwe City South East constituency following allegations of fraud.

The ruling means incumbent MP Bentry Namasasu of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) will face Ulemu Msungama of the main opposition Malawi Congress Party who challenged results of the 2014 polls.

Msungama challenged in the High Court the results of the May 20 2014 Tripartite Elections parliamentary race in the constituency on the basis that his votes were counted as the DPP candidate’s.

The court had earlier ordered a recount but it did not take place because fire gutted a Malawi Electoral Commission warehouse in Lilongwe where ballot papers had been kept.

In October 2014 High Court judge Esme Chombo ordered the electoral body to conduct fresh parliamentary elections in the constituency.

But DPP’s Namasasu appealed to the Supreme Court.

 

In their determination, a panel of three judges; Justice Edward Twea, Justice Lovemore Chikopa and Justice Anthony  Kamanga upheld the High Court’s decision  that there should be a rerun.

They also faulted MEC for the fraudulent election results.

The judges also ordered Namasasu of DPP to pay costs of the court battle.

According to the ruling, the Malawi Electoral Commission will have to set a date for the rerun.

Speaking on ZBS Tuesday morning, Msungama said he was excited with the ruling, saying justice has prevailed.

“The court’s decision will give people in the constituency to choose a leader of their choice,” said Msungama.

The ruling is likely to be held as a milestone in Malawi’s politics as most election related cases do not far in the courts.

The Central Region where Lilongwe, the capital of Malawi is located, is considered a powerbase of the Malawi Congress Party.