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Legalbrief   |   your legal news hub Sunday 19 May 2024

Law groups condemn ruling party

Three international law organisations have launched a scathing attack on Malawi’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) for its ‘unsubstantiated’ allegations against the five judges who presided over the presidential election case. As previously reported in Legalbrief Today, the High Court, presiding over the matter as a constitutional issue, this month annulled last year's disputed presidential election results, citing ‘widespread’ irregularities and ordered a new vote. The DPP claims the judges received bribes from a businessman Simbi Phiri ahead of the ruling. The Commonwealth Lawyers Association, Commonwealth Judges Association and Commonwealth Judges and Magistrates Association describe the DPP’s allegations as misleading. ‘Democracy will be gravely undermined if judgments of the courts are not respected and if there are uncorroborated and unfounded allegations against the judiciary,’ reads part of a statement. The Nyasa Times reports that it adds that the courts are the guardians of justice and the cornerstone of a democratic system based on the rule of law. The Malawi Law Society also condemned the DPP’s stance. Party spokesperson Nicholas Dausi refused to comment on the matter.