Mutharika says he swore to protect the constitution hence his action. President Mutharika has also declined to fire commissioners of the Malawi Electoral Commission as recommended by parliament.

This was made public today at a  press briefing in Blantyre by Presidential Press Secretary Mgeme Kalilani.

Kalilani told reporters that President Mutharika finds that the amendments made by parliament were tantamount to infringement of the principle of separation of powers and voters rights.

He said Mutharika has also failed to give specific wrongs to justify the dismissal of MEC commissioners from their contractual work.