MCP PRESIDENT LAZARUS CHAKWERA HAS MADE THIS STATEMENT
Fellow Malawians; Today at 6.15am, I called the President-elect, Prof. Arthur Peter Mutharika, who has since been sworn in as the 5th President of the Republic of Malawi. I called to congratulate him and to wish him well.
As you all know we had been given a hearing at the High Court in Blantyre yesterday. Three issues were presented for determination by the Court:-
1. Whether the injunction that had been obtained by Hon. Friday Jumbe preventing MEC from conducting a recount was valid. The court ordered that the injunction was wrongly obtained and discharged the injunction.
2. The court was asked to rule whether MEC had the power to order a recount and the court decided that MEC had the power to do anything that it needs to do to arrive at a free and fair result and that includes a recount of ballots.
3. On whether MEC could postpone the announcement of results beyond the 8 days period the court ruled that the 8 day period ought to be reviewed because it can lead to injustice.
The court lamented the predicament it found itself in but nonetheless said the period of 8 days could not be extended. We thus found ourselves in a situation where the court said a recount which MEC said had to be done to arrive at a credible result had to be done in one and half hours. In making the announcement the Chairman of MEC stated that "some of the Commissioners of MEC had expressed reservations at some of the results as received by MEC" but stated that the due process that had been followed did not allow them to satisfy themselves by way of a recount.
He stated that the rule of law compelled them to announce the results and as Commissioners they had to obey the law. We are aware that it was not just some of the Commissioners but the majority, seven out of ten that expressed reservations at the determination.
In fact the 7 Commissioners issued a communique to the effect that they could not make a determination without a recount of the ballots of the Presidential Vote. We find ourselves therefore in a position where on MEC's own admission the result of Presidential
vote is flawed but they are compelled to
announce it and on that basis the President of Malawi declared. This is a very sad situation where our democracy
and the will of the people of Malawi are held to ransom by virtue of some technical phrase of law that says the result must be given in 8 days regardless of glaring fraud and irregularities. We are aware that the result announced yesterday can be challenged and in fact it ought to be challenged but to what effect and for what benefit to the Malawian people. The institutions put in place to safeguard our democracy, MEC and the Judiciary, have confirmed their inadequacies. We have always believed that to every wrong there must be a remedy but our experiences since May 20 tell us otherwise. It is therefore with the heaviest of hearts that I wish to thank all the supporters of the MCP and all people of good will who supported our cause, in cash, counsel and prayers. It was and remains a good cause.
In eight months we ran a formidable campaign that gave hope to many Malawians that a truly transformative development agenda was possible. We stuck to our values. And we have no regrets.
Are we disappointed?? Yes!!
Are we discouraged?? No!!
We believe we did not lose. The systems failed us and all this happened in full view of all Malawians and the world. And we believe that Malawians would still have loved to know what really happened. We now bow to the reality of the present situation and say let us move on. Let us keep peace. There
can only be one President at a time. It is my hope that when history comes to judge me, the Chakwera campaign and what happened in this election pertaining to the declaration of the
Presidential winner it will judge us kindly.
We congratulate and wish the new President well.
We pray for him and our country and may God continue to bless Malawi and keep it a land of peace.
God bless you all.
Dr Lazarus Chakwera -
May 31st 2014
On Sunday, June 1, 2014 2:27:52 PM UTC+3, Charles Banda wrote:
...Her Excellency Dr Joyce Banda
STATEMENT BY HER EXCELENCY DR. JOYCE BANDA ON THE OUTCOME OF THE 2014 GENERAL ELECTIONSFellow Malawians;I would like to first of all, thank all Malawians that took part in the just ended, first ever tripartite elections.
Despite isolated incidences of disturbances, Malawians generally embraced peace throughout the election period and exercised impeccable patience as we awaited the conclusion of the elections.
I commend all Malawians for the patience exercised during this delicate time of transition.Last evening, on 30th May 2014, the Malawi Electoral Commission announced the Presidential results of the Tripartite Elections that were held from Tuesday, 20th May to Thursday, 22nd May 2014.
I take this opportunity to sincerely congratulate the President Elect Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika and the Vice President Elect Mr. Saulos Klaus Chilima on their victory in an election that was closely contested.
I wish the President Elect and the Vice President Elect every success as they take up the mantle of leadership for the nation of Malawi.
It is my prayer that the new President and his Government will successfully guide our nation to greater heights of prosperity
I would like to thank all Malawians for the support rendered to me and my government during my term in office as President of this great Republic.It has been an honor and privilege to serve my country, Malawi, and more so as the country's first female president.
During my term, significant reforms that aimed at taking the nation to the right development trajectory were implemented, and I appreciate the support and encouragement that Malawians and all other well wishers gave me during these reforms
As I leave office today, I am happy that there are visible positive outcomes of these reforms in the macro economy, in governance and observance of human rights, in food security, in women's empowerment, in rural development and international relations to mention but a few.
I am happy that the country is at a better place than was the case when I assumed office in 2012.
I therefore wish to take this opportunity, to urge all Malawians to support the newly elected President Professor Mutharika and his Government as they take on this foundation of progress and endeavor to develop Malawi even further.In conclusion, while these elections have been tense, I would like to urge all Malawians to move forward as one nation, to remain united, to uphold the rule of law, and continue being peaceful and calm as we head into the next fifty years of Malawi's future.
May God continue to protect and bless our Nation, Mother Malawi.
I thank you for your attention
President Dr Joyce Banda
Republic of Malawi
On Saturday, May 31, 2014 12:35:37 AM UTC+3, Charles Banda wrote:Mbendera: Based on the results you've heard which have been signed by all commissioner, I justice Maxon Mbendera do declare candidate
Arthur Peter Mutharika & Saulos Chilima of DPP as president elect & Vice President elect of Democratic Republic of Malawi
National totals results for Presidential elections
DPP 1 904 399
MCP1 455 880
PP 1 056 230On Sat, May 31, 2014 at 12:02 AM, Charles Banda <chasbanda@gmail.com> wrote:
https://twitter.com/
MalawiNation/status/ 472476093703024641 DPP supporter celebrating court decision of no extension which means MEC will be forced to announce results
On Friday, May 30, 2014 11:12:51 PM UTC+3, Charles Banda wrote:The judge rules that "I can not hesitate to give positive direction for MEC to conduct physical audit."
"What the Court cannot do is go outside of its power and extend power when there is no rule/law to do so"
On Friday, May 30, 2014 11:10:09 PM UTC+3, Charles Banda wrote:BREAKING: Judge Kenyatta Nyirenda has ruled that MEC can do the recount of the votes. However, the recount has to be done in eight days.
The recount has to be done in 8 days which ends tonight. now judge dealing with issue of extension.
On Friday, May 30, 2014 10:01:50 PM UTC+3, Charles Banda wrote:We commissioners Nancy Tembo, Wellington Nakanga, Reverend Mezuwa Banda, Elvey Mtafu, Stanley Bilia, Rev Emmanuel Chinkwita Phiri, Gloria Chingota, Allan Chiphiko being commissioners duly appointed under s. 75 (1) of the Constitution as read with S. 4(1) of the Electoral Commission Act wish to state as follows:-
1. THAT at the meeting of the Commission held on 25th May 2014 it was decided that the results of the presidential elections held in May 2014 as received from returning Officers had attracted numerous complaint[s] and had discrepancies and obvious errors to such extent that they could not be relied on as presented.
2. That it was decided that the only way to get a credible result was by conducting a physical audit of the vote by reopening the ballot boxes and recounting the ballot cast.
3. That as a commission we were prepared to carry on that exercise and logistics were put in place.
4. That subsequent to that decision to have a recount the Electoral Commission has received court processes the effect of some of which is to compel us to release the results although numerous complaints await determination and the results have not been verified by political parties as earlier on agreed.
We therefore wish to categorically state that we have not determined and cannot determine the result of the Presidential election relying merely on documentation received from Constituency returning officers and we therefore wish to state that a proper result can only come after a physical audit and comparison with the result received from returning officers.
Dated and signed this 28th Day 2014
Nancy Tembo
Wellington Nakanga
Rev Mezuwa Banda
Elvey Mtafu
Stanly Billiat
Rev Emmanuel Chimkwita Phiri
Gloria Chingota
Rev Allan Chiphiko
On Friday, May 30, 2014 4:11:43 PM UTC+3, Charles Banda wrote:CALL FOR CALM AND RESPECT FOR THE RULE OF LAW
"We call on all Malawians, particularly political leaders and their supporters, to exercise calm and restraint as the High Court considers the next phase of the electoral process. We highlight the commitments made by all political leaders in the 10 May Lilongwe Peace Declaration. Going forward, we urge all parties, citizens and authorities to respect the legal and constitutional process, rise above personal and party interest and ensure Malawi's reputation for stability and peace continues."
Signed Head of Missions:
Australian High Commission
British High Commission
Canadian High Commission
Delegation of the European Union
Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany
Embassy of Ireland
Embassy of Japan
Embassy of the United States of America
Royal Norwegian Embassy
On Friday, May 30, 2014 6:10:53 AM UTC-7, Charles Banda wrote:UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT FOR EACH PARTY
DPP = 49 MPs;
PP = 26 MPs;
MCP = 50 MPs,
UDF = 15 MPs;
PPM = 1 MP;
CCP = 1 MP,
AFORD = 1 MP,
INDEPENDENT MPs = 49
Blantyre North no MP there will be a bye-election
On Friday, May 30, 2014 6:10:22 AM UTC-7, Charles Banda wrote:One person is reported to have died in Mangochi and several others are being treated at Mangochi District Hospital following demonstrations that started today morning.
Our correspondent Ayamba Kandodo who is in Mangochi says the situation is far from calm as people continue to burn kiosks and tyres in protest.
The demonstrators say they do not want MEC to announce the disputed presidential election results which according to them are "rigged".
Police fired teargas and rubber bullets at the protesters in a bid to disperse the demonstrators.
We will keep you updated.
On Friday, May 30, 2014 1:36:35 AM UTC-7, Charles Banda wrote:Picture shows tyres burning in Mangochi as people protest the delayed release of voting results
On Thu, May 29, 2014 at 9:24 AM, Charles Banda <chasbanda@gmail.com> wrote:
MBENDERA'S STATEMENT IN FULL
Ladies and Gentlemen,
On behalf of the Malawi Electoral Commission I am here to report on developments and progress in the Tallying of the election results.The law requires the Commission to announce its determination of the national election results within 8 days from the last day of polling.As you will recall, our last day of polling was on Thursday, 22 May. Therefore the Commission has a legal duty to announce the results not later than Friday, 30 May, 2014.
The law allows the Commission to announce the results within 48 hours after collecting all relevant information.
This 48 hours is provided to allow the Commission to attempt to resolve any complaints that have been lodged. As of this afternoon the Commission has registered 287 complaints of which it has processed 188.Ladies and Gentlemen,
I can now report to the Nation that the Commission has received and tallied all of the results for the Presidential election at the National Tally Centre.As such, the 48 hour countdown has started and the Commission will announce the determination of official results for these elections on Friday, 30 May.The Commission will utilize the remaining two days to finalize and resolve the complaints it has received for the Presidential, Parliamentary and Local Council Elections.If all complaints cannot be resolved within the remaining time, candidates will still be able to take up any concern via a petition to the High Court, within seven days of the announcement of the results, as the law provides for.
The Commission has also continued with the verification of the results. We are working diligently to identify any irregularities. This includes the 58 polling centers where the number of valid votes reported to have been cast have exceeded the number of registered voters.These issues will be commented on in our report to the Nation on the announcement of the determination of results.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
We are all aware of the legal controversy that has surrounded the possibility of the Commission conducting a recount.
At this stage we await clarity from the Courts on this issue, as they seek to resolve the injunctions and counter-injunctions being lodged.On this issue, the Commission has met with many of the stakeholders in the electoral process. In the past few days we have met with the Secretaries-General of the political parties, PAC – the Public Affairs Committee – Civil Society Organizations, and election observer groups.
To all of these groups I must extend my sincere gratitude for their commitment and support to the Commission as we have all wrestled with these issues.
Our advice to these stakeholders is that it is not feasible for the Commission to conduct a full recount within the period available to it, and if it were possible, a Court order would be required to extend the period for announcement of results.
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