Malawi Electoral Commission revises election date to June 23

MANGOCHI,

Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) Wednesday announced that in view of the Supreme Court's ruling on May 8 the Commission has revised the fresh presidential election date to June 23 from July 2.

MEC Chairperson, Justice Jane Ansah, made the announcement during a meeting with the National Elections Consultative Forum (NECOF) which comprises all election stakeholders in the country.

Ansah said with the Supreme Court's clarification on the date for fresh election the Commission found June 23 to be an appropriate date for the poll.

"The Supreme Court upheld the fresh election and that it should be conducted within the 150 days from Feb. 3 as per the High Court ruling," said Ansah.

However, the MEC Chairperson said the date is tentative and that the full responsibility of setting the date for the election lies in the hands of Parliament.

Parliament is expected to meet this May for the 2020/2021 budget session during which period the House is expected to set or endorse the date for the election.

Incumbent president Peter Mutharika is going to face opposition leader, Lazarus Chakwera, in the fresh election and the two opponents have rolled out a stiff campaign across the country to woo the electorate. (Xinhua)