Malawi: Bribery claim could overthrow presidential poll

ANKARA (AA) – Alleged bribery to sway a Constitutional Court ruling on the results of presidential polls last May is rocking the southeastern African country of Malawi, African news agency APA reported on Monday.

Constitutional Court Chief Justice Andrew Nyirenda alleged that unnamed individuals attempted to bribe court judges over their ruling on a petition submitted by Malawi Congress Party leader Lazarus Chakwera as well as United Transformation Movement president Saulos Chilima to challenge the poll results, according to APA.

The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) is investigating the complaint, which if approved could annul the re-election of President Peter Mutharika and lead to the holding of fresh polls.

Last August Malawi’s Supreme Court of Appeal rejected an appeal demanding dismissal of a case challenging the presidential election results.

A panel of Supreme Court judges led by Nyirenda rejected the appeal by Mutharika and the Electoral Commission to dismiss the election petition case which the two opposition leaders brought before the high court.

The Constitutional Court has a deadline of February to issue a ruling on the case, which sparked violent protests since last year. However the latest bribery accusations may prolong the court case if investigations confirm them, according to APA.