MEC dismisses Kuwani's complaint
The Malawi Electoral Commission has dismissed a complaint from Malawi's fresh presidential election candidate Peter Kuwani in which he was seeking the nullification of the candidature of his two fellow contestants.
Kuwani wanted MEC to nullify the candidature of Democratic Progressive Party president Peter Mutharika and Malawi Congress Party president Lazarous Chakwera for featuring running mates different from the ones they had in the 2019 election.
The MMD president argued that the two political parties did not adhere to the Malawi Supreme Court of Appeal (MSCA) ruling that stated that political parties whose rights were injured by the Conduct of the Commission were the ones to contest.
“Basing on the fact, point of law and MSCA consequential directions and recommendations on candidates, MEC should nullify the candidature for Dr Lazarous Chakwera and Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika for being reconstituted.
“It is apparent that MSCA consequential directions and recommendations as regards to candidates should be in tandem to consequential directions and recommendations on voters’ roll,” says the letter signed by its President Kuwani.
He went on to argue that if indeed Chakwera and Mutharika won the elections, because they had winning teams, why are they changing their running mates.
“Unless legally proven or directed otherwise, Peter Sinosi, Driver Kuwani is the sole candidate who fully adopted the MSCA consequential directions and recommendations for the presidential election," he claimed.
But in its determination on the matter, MEC argued that Kuwani has failed to justify his claim.
It said: "The Commission has come up with its determination on the matter which has been transmitted to the complainant. Briefly the Commision has found that Mr.Kuwani has failed to make a valid claim to justify the nullification of the candidature of Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika and Dr. Lazarus Chakera. Therefore, Mr. Kuwani’sc complaint has been dismissed."