SADC acknowledges nullification of elections in Malawi

SADC acknowledges nullification of elections in Malawi
By: Vincent Gunde

The Southern African Development Community ( SADC), has commended the constitutional court for upholding the Malawian constitution, and the electoral law in the conduct of the petition, urging all stakeholders to respect the judgement and maintain peace and tranquillity, whilst the relevant national institutions prepare for fresh elections.

SADCsays it acknowledges the decision of the constitutional court of the Republic of Malawi that was delivered on Monday, 3rd February, 2020 which nullified the results of the presidential elections held on 21st May,2019.

In a statement by His Excellency, Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, President of the Republic of Zimbabwe and chairperson of the SADC organ on politics, defence and security cooperation, SADC notes that the constitutional court also ordered that a fresh election be held within 150 days in Malawi.

In the statement, SADC says it will continue to support the Republic of Malawi in the election process, as guided by the SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Elections, and will remain seized with the developments in Malawi.

After the May, 2019 elections, SADC, the EU, Commonwealth and other elections observation teams commended Malawi for conducting a peaceful and transparent elections which was free and fair.

Meanwhile, here at home, the United Democratic Front ( UDF) party, has uploaded the constitutional court judges for displaying total independence throughout the hearing and congratulating the petitioners and their legal team for putting up a gallant fight appealing to the supporters of the petitioners to celebrate peacefully and the respondents to abide by the courts determination.

In a statement signed by its Secretary General, Kandi Padambo, says in light of the judgement, the party is demanding immediate dissolution of the Electoral Commission because it has lost its moral authority to manage credible elections in Malawi.

The UDF is also demanding the perpetrators of the electoral fraud to be investigated and prosecuted so that the law dictates in order to deter any future perpetrators from following the same course as one way of ensuring the delivery of future free and fair elections in Malawi.