The Supreme Court of Appeal has nullified the parliamentary election results for Balaka Mulunguzi Constituency and removed Ireen Mambala as Member of Parliament with immediate effect.
The landmark ruling, delivered today by a nine-member panel led by Chief Justice Rizine Mzikamanda, follows an appeal by Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) candidate James Makhumula.
The court found that the High Court erred in its assessment of evidence presented by Makhumula.
According to the Supreme Court, the evidence established a prima facie case that the election was marred by irregularities, particularly in the recording and management of results.
“The court further noted that the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) failed to satisfactorily explain these discrepancies,” the judgment read.
As a result, Mambala, who had been declared the winner by MEC, ceases to be an MP.
Reacting to the judgment, Makhumula’s lawyer, Khumbo Bonzoe Soko, welcomed the outcome.
“This is a sound judgment in every sense. It reinforces the principle that elections are not only about numbers, but also about the integrity of the process.
“The numerous discrepancies in the documents clearly showed that the results announced by MEC lacked credibility,” Soko said.
The Supreme Court has also ordered that Makhumula be paid legal costs for both the Supreme Court proceedings and the earlier case in the High Court.
The ruling triggers a by-election in Balaka Mulunguzi.
The Supreme Court of Appeal has nullified the parliamentary election results for Balaka Mulunguzi Constituency and removed Ireen Mambala as Member of Parliament with immediate effect.
The landmark ruling, delivered today by a nine-member panel led by Chief Justice Rizine Mzikamanda, follows an appeal by Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) candidate James Makhumula.
The court found that the High Court erred in its assessment of evidence presented by Makhumula.
According to the Supreme Court, the evidence established a prima facie case that the election was marred by irregularities, particularly in the recording and management of results.
“The court further noted that the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) failed to satisfactorily explain these discrepancies,” the judgment read.
As a result, Mambala, who had been declared the winner by MEC, ceases to be an MP.
Reacting to the judgment, Makhumula’s lawyer, Khumbo Bonzoe Soko, welcomed the outcome.
“This is a sound judgment in every sense. It reinforces the principle that elections are not only about numbers, but also about the integrity of the process.
“The numerous discrepancies in the documents clearly showed that the results announced by MEC lacked credibility,” Soko said.
The Supreme Court has also ordered that Makhumula be paid legal costs for both the Supreme Court proceedings and the earlier case in the High Court.
The ruling triggers a by-election in Balaka Mulunguzi.