Malawi to hold repeat presidential poll on May 19

Malasi’s President Peter Mutharika speaks during a past United Nations General Assembly in New York. A court overturned the result of last year’s vote, citing widespread irregularities. /Reuters

Malawi is expected to hold a repeat presidential election on May 19 after a court overturned the result of last year’s vote, citing widespread irregularities.

The date was set by Parliament while amending the Electoral Act as ordered by the Constitutional Court’s orders.

The amended law allows for a runoff vote in 30 days if no candidate garners the required majority of votes.

President Peter Mutharika and the country’s electoral commission have appealed the court ruling.

Mutharika however has 21 days to decide whether to approve parliament's decisions.

The nullification of Malawi election results was just the second time that a court invalidated a presidential vote after a Kenyan court did so in 2017.

Malawi's parliament has also recommended that the current electoral commissioners be replaced.

Source(s): AP