President Peter Mutharika has again attacked Malawi Judiciary for nullifying last year’s presidential elections in which he was declared a winner.
Speaking to state broadcaster, Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) on Friday, Mutharika claims Judiciary was against the will of the people for nullifying May, 21, 2019 presidential polls.
“Rulings by the courts to nullify the election were a travesty of justice and a judicial coup d’etat to get rid of government. The courts found the election was not rigged and did not affect the outcome of the results,”
“The judiciary did not follow evidence, setting standards that every election will be nullified. I feel sorry for the future if this country. It’s really a big shame and a tragedy,” Mutharika said.
On campaigning ahead of presidential polls next month, Mutharika says he is in dilemma regarding to the outbreak of COVID-19 outbreak.
“I am conflicted because I ordered schools to be closed and a number of measures. But I have to campaign. I am getting a lot of pressure that the leader of opposition is so concerned that I am not campaigning. A COVID-19 committee urged us to find alternative ways of campaigning rather than mass rallies,” he says.
Malawi President says the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) will have new commissioners before 5th June, 2020 and they will only come from his Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and opposition Malawi Congress Party (MCP).
“Only DPP and MCP will have commissioners because they have at 10 percent of Members of Parliament (MPs) in parliament, at least 19 MPs. Three to four judges will be nominated and I will choose the Chairperson of the Commission. That’s how it works. By June 5, you will have new commissioners,” he says.
Mutharika says he is ready for the fresh polls and urges Malawians to vote for him for continued development.
“I am ready for the election. Let us campaign on issues. Those who have best issues, Malawians will vote for them. Vote wisely. Vote for leaders who want to build this country not destroy it. Choose between moving forward or backward. Look at issues. Let Malawian people decide who they want to rule this country. We (DPP) are continuing with various projects, including building more technical colleges and 250 secondary schools, one in each constituency,” he says.
