The independent electoral body announced late on Friday — without
giving a reason — that it had barred Muluzi from contesting the
election, a move that could raise political tension and create concern
among Western donors.
Muluzi said he believed the decision had been made under political
influence, but one academic said the Malawian constitution lacked
clarity on the issue of whether a citizen who has had two terms as
president can, after a gap, run again.
"I do not believe that the decision is free from political influence,
based on the rhetoric from the DPP (Democratic Progressive Party) led
government, which has been talking about my candidature," Muluzi said
on his private radio station.
"We will challenge this in court and I have already instructed my legal team to do that."
Muluzi was arrested last month and charged with stealing millions of
dollars given to Malawi by international donors during his decade as
president, ending in 2004.
He has denied any wrongdoing and one of his lawyers, Fahad Assani, said
the team would file the challenge on Monday or Tuesday. Despite his
legal problems, Muluzi still has considerable grassroots support in
some parts of the southern African nation.
Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister Henry Phoya dismissed
Muluzi’s claim that the decision to bar him was politically motivated.
"Government has no part in this decision … it’s just unfortunate that
Muluzi, as former president, should be in the forefront accusing us and
the electoral commission," he said.
Malawi’s constitution limits presidents to two terms but is unclear on
whether a former president can run again, leading to calls for the law
to be reviewed.
"It’s a complex decision (to bar Muluzi) because it is not based on the
constitution, but on popular opinion that former presidents should not
come back," University of Malawi political scientist Blessings Chisinga
said.
The constitutional provision should be reviewed to remove ambiguities, he said.
Muluzi, the United Democratic Front’s candidate for the election, urged
his supporters to remain calm and said he would launch his campaign and
party manifesto in the resort district of Mangochi later on Saturday.
Hailed as a hero in 1994 for removing dictator Kamuzu Banda, Muluzi
stepped down in 2004 after unsuccessfully trying to change the
constitution to allow him to stand again.
He announced his comeback bid last year and was later detained on
suspicion of being involved in a coup plot. The charges were dropped.
Eight candidates, including one woman, are running against President
Bingu Wa Mutharika in the presidential race. Wa Mutharika is expected
to win after presiding over four years of strong economic growth.
Reuters
Post published in: News