Chilima wants EU to cancel election report presentation: MCP agrees ‘bad timing’

UTM Party president  Saulos Chilima and first petioner in the election nullification case has called on the European Union (EU) Election Observer Mission (EOM) to put off  presentation of its final report on the disputed May 21 2019 Tripartite Elections., saying doing so is “ill-timed” and his Malawi Congress Party (MCP) counterpart Lazarus Chakwera who is also challenging the results in court over alleged irregularities has agreed with him.

Chilima: Rebuffs EU, says timing of observers presentation of the report is ill-timed

In a letter to EU Malawi office dated January 7 2020,  Chilima  said the report is sub judicial as the presential elections dispute is awaiting judgement and he condemns the decision in strongest terms.

“The intended presentation of the report is ill-timed, careless and amounts to an extra-judicial gimmick to meddle with, and influence, pending litigation. I condemn this in the strongest terms,” reads the letter in part.

SKC, as Chilima is fondly known, has further turned down an invitation to meet the mission.

He said: “We are waiting for judgement [in the Constitutional Court]. The EU should respect the courts and wait for the judgement. We have informed the EU in writing that we will not be attending the meeting.”

SKC further says, while he appreciates the European Union’s support and cooperation for the improvement of the country’s election management system, the presentation is “not only poorly timed but it also breaches the legal process under way in the Malawi courts”.

He said :”I strongly object to the presentation of the report at this time. It must be obvious to both the Delegation and the Mission that comprehensive reports on the tripartite elections must be avoided in light of the litigation that has since ensued.”

Chakwera has also faulted EU for “bad timing” in presentation of the report but

MCP secretary general Eisenhower Mkaka said his party will honour  an invitation to attend the meeting  with EU delegation..

The European Union Observer Mission has also received wide condemnation from various quarters, mainly on social media, for its decision to present its May 21 elections report months after the polls.

EU Deputy Head of Mission Aurelie Valtat, who is also head of the political and media office,  said it is  “a standard return mission” and “not unique to Malawi.”

MEC chairperson Justice Jane Ansah declared the presidential elections to be free and fair and that the results were the true reflection of the will of the people of Malawi.

President Mutharika who won the dispiuted polls has repeatedly quoted observers as having declared the electoral process credible, but Chilima and Chakwera are challenging the presidential election results in court over alleged irregularities, especially in the results management system.

Voting in the tripartite elections took place on May 21 2019 in all the 5002 polling stations.

According to Ansah, out of 6 859 570 registered voters, 5 105 983 turned up for polling representing 74.44 percent. A total of 74 719 votes were declared null and void representing 1.09 percent.

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fwb
fwb
4 years ago

NO WONDER THE MALAWI GOVERNMENT HAS TAKEN THE PATH OF EU OF MAKING DELAYING TACKTICKS. TAKE THE MSUNDWE SAGA, THE MALAWI POLICE INSTITUTED A COMMISSION OF INQUIRY IN OCTOBER, BUT UP TO THIS DAY NO TANGIBLE REPORT HAS BEEN RELEASED FROM THEM. INSTEAD MHRC RELEASED THEIRS, THE MALAWI GOVERNMENT IS REFUSING TO ACCEPT IT.

Kuswa Kuswa
Kuswa Kuswa
4 years ago

Interesting thoughts. Is he fondly called SKC? We all fondly call him Zeze and Arafat.

Malawi belong to the citizens.

How much money did European Union received the first time and how much money will they receive this time around? One organisation two different reports at two different times. What do they want these people?

wa Nyau
wa Nyau
4 years ago

who told you that the report is different from the first one? Had it been the report is different then these opposition RATS could not have run away from it.There is nothing good for them thats why they are refusing it.

Mbwiye
4 years ago

I have seen the report and it is no different from the preliminary report that eu produced last year after elections. Thats why skc is fuming.

Trump
Trump
4 years ago

We dont want colonialists (asamunda) to interfere into Malawian Affairs,we need to fulfil Gadaffi ‘s dreams (united states of Africa)these colonialist wont have access to steal african resources.To HELL with EU report you can present it to Europe we dont need it.

wa Nyau
wa Nyau
4 years ago
Reply to  Trump

hahha komatu dzana lija mumatamandila EU ambassador atathamangisidwa chifukwa anamatcha nawo zakwa Msundwe.lero mukuti atsamunda asalowelele amalawi affairs kkk opposition sithadzeka

Jane Aswelele
Jane Aswelele
4 years ago

No,they are not wanted, the case is in court, that would mean prejudice. Decorators of the not wanted now.Your comments would chaos in Malawi. After these are not EU people .are middle men to decorate elections.

Joseph Banda
Joseph Banda
4 years ago

My Views are that, Chilima will be a very Dictator if Malawi will ever give him a chance. Mwina he has bad advisors. ITS JUST NOT FAR AWAY WHEN HIS PARTY AND THE SO CALLED HRDC plus MCP were damaging properties, Killing people including a Police man, torching houses etc WHEN THE CASE WAS IN COURT. IT was that intimidation that should swerved those who were giving testimonies AND NOT EU giving their report on May 21 elections.. WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE SO CALLED EDUCATED MAN?

David
David
4 years ago
Reply to  Joseph Banda

Nice observation. These are the very same people who were demonstrating whilst the matter was in court.

nachisale
nachisale
4 years ago

The court should present its ruling as soon as possible, otherwise crooked people are taking advantage of the delay.

Maliseche a pumbwa
Maliseche a pumbwa
4 years ago
Reply to  nachisale

No they should take their time cross every T and dot every I in case there is aan appeal

MBUNYO
MBUNYO
4 years ago

TAWAKANA NGATI AKUFUNA ABWERE AFTER COURT Ruling otherwise we are not ready to hear from them One Malawi one Nation

Guarantor
Guarantor
4 years ago

I think there is some hypocrisy here…… How about the demos against against Ansa and the elections which were happening as the court was hearing the case were they not ill timed also? Just thinking aloud…..

Samuel
Samuel
4 years ago
Reply to  Guarantor

I agree with you 100%. Nothing good can come from losers. Owina anawina kale enawa angolira.

Other side
Other side
4 years ago
Reply to  Samuel

Ndiye mwanyatu, presentations cancelled, kapangeni present inuyo

wa Nyau
wa Nyau
4 years ago
Reply to  Guarantor

kuluza mkowawa.mungodikila 2024 sikale

David
David
4 years ago
Reply to  Guarantor

Nice one. SKC and Chakwera amapanga zinthu za phuma kwambiriiiii. They do not forsee consequences and implications of their actions. Leadership is about being patient.

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