Opposition poll challenge dismissed

A Malawi high court judge on Friday dismissed an opposition challenge to overturn the victory of President Bakili Muluzi in last June’s elections, diplomatic sources confirmed to IRIN on Monday. According to the diplomat, Judge Isaac Mtambo ruled that the country’s electoral commission was correct in declaring Muluzi the winner by a majority of votes cast by the estimated 4.5 million voters who turned out for the country’s second democratic elections. The opposition coalition, the Malawi Congress Party (MCP), led by Gwanda Chakuamba and Alliance for Democracy (AFORD) of Chakufwa Chihana, had argued that Muluzi, leader of the ruling United Democratic Front (UDF) had failed to get over 50 percent of the five million registered voters as demanded by the constitution. Judge Mtambo, however, said basing a candidate’s victory on the registered voter’s roll has political risks for the country. “Why should anyone want to be attached to a vote that has not been cast? Why should any regard be had on such a vote to determine the outcome of an election?” he asked, “before declaring that the electoral commission’s decision to declare Muluzi the winner was lawful?” Muluzi won the presidential vote by 51.37 percent of the votes cast, while Chakuamba and his running mate Chihana polled 44.20 percent. The diplomat said the opposition coalition has given notice that they plan to appeal to the Supreme court against the ruling.