Judiciary Vital for Fair Malawi Polls, Says Chief Justice
Chief Justice Rezine Mzikamanda told the Judiciary Committee on Elections that it has the "necessary capacity" to properly handle challenges that arise during the electoral process.
LILONGWE, Malawi— Malawi's chief justice emphasized the crucial role of the judiciary in resolving electoral disputes as he inducted members of a special elections committee Thursday, writes Moses Nyirenda.
Chief Justice Rezine Mzikamanda told the Judiciary Committee on Elections that it has the "necessary capacity" to properly handle challenges that arise during the electoral process.
"The committee has tricks and mechanisms to use in order to help in the management of electoral disputes that come to court," Mzikamanda said at the induction ceremony organized with the Malawi Electoral Commission in Lilongwe.
He said the judiciary did its best resolving disputes after Malawi's 2019 elections but added, "we do believe that there are other things that we can do better."
The inductions aim to improve the judicial system's ability to oversee electoral integrity.
"With a degree of satisfaction the judiciary did its best during 2019, 2020 elections and it served the nation as far as it could do in resolving the matters that came before it," Mzikamanda said.
Electoral Commission chair Chifundo Kachale welcomed the judiciary's collaborative approach, saying "we are very delighted that the judiciary has seen it fit to put in place (this) committee."
Kachale said he hopes the team will consider reforms to reduce the time it takes to conclude presidential election petitions in court.
Malawi's 2019 polls were marred by allegations of widespread irregularities.
After a lengthy legal battle, the Constitutional Court annulled the results, leading to the rerun in 2020 won by opposition leaders.