Poll results case back in court

Malawi's High court on Monday resumed hearings on the opposition parties challenge over the results of last June's presidential elections won by President Bakili Muluzi of the ruling United Democratic Front (UDF), news reports said. The opposition coalition of Malawi Congress Party (MCP) and the Alliance for Democracy (AFORD) argue that Muluzi did not win a clear majority of registered voters, saying fake ballots and voter registration cards were discovered that were used by Muluzi's party to rig the elections. Malawi's electoral commission declared Muluzi a winner in the presidential elections by 51 percent, while Gwanda Chakuamba of the opposition coalition received 44 percent of the votes. The court case, in which both parties are represented by British counsels, is expected to go on for the whole of this week.