Lawyer representing petitioners, Wester Kosamu, says the court has since ordered fresh elections be held within 60 days.

“Yes, I have read the last part of the judgement and it is confirmed that parliamentary election results for all the three constituencies in Nsanje and Chikwawa have been nullified and the court has ordered that fresh elections be heard within 60 days.

“I have just received it and I am briefing the petitioners. I am very happy and grateful to the court. I worked hard with the help of counsel Dzonzi [Justin] from Lilongwe and some people who tried to assist me in this particular case,” explained Kosamu.

He further said, “I am very happy that we have won the case. I am short of words anyway.” 

Malawi Congress Party parliamentary candidates Foster Thipiwa of Chikwawa East, Enock Chizuzu of Nsanje North and Kafandikhale Mandevana of Nsanje Central, challenged May 21 2019 election results on grounds that they were marred by irregularities.

Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) declared Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) legislators Francis Kasaila of Nsanje Central, Esther Mcheka Chilenje of Nsanje North and United Democratic Front (UDF) legislator Sam Khumbanyiwa of Chikwawa East) as winners.

MEC Director of Media and Public Relations, Sangwani Mwafulirwa, says the electoral by will meet to map the way forward.

“The Commission is aware of the judgement on the nullification of parliamentary election results in the three constituencies. The Commission will respect the law; hence, will meet to discuss on dates for holding the fresh parliamentary election.

“As you are aware, we also have three vacant parliamentary seats and two vacant wards following the death of legislators and ward councilors thus it is imperative to hold the polls at once,” said Mwafulirwa.

The High Court last year also nullified Presidential Elections results and Mangochi West and Mangochi North East parliamentary election results due to irregularities.