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Citing Fraud, Malawi Leader Halts Vote and Stirs Protest Citing Fraud, Malawi Leader Halts Vote and Stirs Protest
(4 months later)
LILONGWE, Malawi — President Joyce Banda on Saturday canceled Malawi’s elections, citing fraud and “rampant irregularities.” The decision set off protests and was challenged by the national electoral authority and a political rival. LILONGWE, Malawi — President Joyce Banda on Saturday canceled Malawi’s elections, citing fraud and “rampant irregularities.” The decision set off protests and was challenged by the national electoral authority and a political rival.
Ms. Banda, who had been running for re-election, ordered a new vote within 90 days but said she would no longer be a candidate to guarantee a credible outcome.Ms. Banda, who had been running for re-election, ordered a new vote within 90 days but said she would no longer be a candidate to guarantee a credible outcome.
Malawi’s electoral commission and one of her main rivals who had been leading in the vote count contested her annulment announcement, saying she did not have the constitutional power to cancel the elections.Malawi’s electoral commission and one of her main rivals who had been leading in the vote count contested her annulment announcement, saying she did not have the constitutional power to cancel the elections.
Her decision led to protests in Limbe, outside the commercial hub of Blantyre, where demonstrators smashed shops, the police said.Her decision led to protests in Limbe, outside the commercial hub of Blantyre, where demonstrators smashed shops, the police said.
The political crisis broke out four days after a problem-plagued election.The political crisis broke out four days after a problem-plagued election.
Ms. Banda, southern Africa’s first elected female head of state, cited constitutional powers allowing her to nullify the election, which she said was marred by “fraudulent and rampant irregularities.”Ms. Banda, southern Africa’s first elected female head of state, cited constitutional powers allowing her to nullify the election, which she said was marred by “fraudulent and rampant irregularities.”
Shortly before her announcement, the electoral commission released preliminary results showing the Democratic Progressive Party candidate, Peter Mutharika, leading with 42 percent of the vote, followed by Ms. Banda with 23 percent. This was based on 30 percent of the total votes counted.Shortly before her announcement, the electoral commission released preliminary results showing the Democratic Progressive Party candidate, Peter Mutharika, leading with 42 percent of the vote, followed by Ms. Banda with 23 percent. This was based on 30 percent of the total votes counted.
“There is no legal basis for stopping the election,” Mr. Mutharika said at a news conference. “We have become a laughingstock, and the sooner it ends, the better for us.”“There is no legal basis for stopping the election,” Mr. Mutharika said at a news conference. “We have become a laughingstock, and the sooner it ends, the better for us.”
His supporters took to the streets in Limbe.His supporters took to the streets in Limbe.
“I appeal to the president to ask people to be calm, and I hope she abandons the path she is taking because we don’t need to take this country on the path of violence,” Mr. Mutharika added.“I appeal to the president to ask people to be calm, and I hope she abandons the path she is taking because we don’t need to take this country on the path of violence,” Mr. Mutharika added.
Maxon Mbendera, the electoral commission chairman, also challenged the annulment, saying only the electoral authority had the legal power to do this.Maxon Mbendera, the electoral commission chairman, also challenged the annulment, saying only the electoral authority had the legal power to do this.
Ms. Banda, whose popularity has been eroded by a corruption scandal, said she would not participate as a presidential candidate in the election rerun.Ms. Banda, whose popularity has been eroded by a corruption scandal, said she would not participate as a presidential candidate in the election rerun.
“I have done this to allow that Malawians are given an opportunity to freely and fairly express their will in choosing their leaders in a free, fair, transparent and credible manner,” she said.“I have done this to allow that Malawians are given an opportunity to freely and fairly express their will in choosing their leaders in a free, fair, transparent and credible manner,” she said.
The election on Tuesday had been plagued by problems from the outset, with voting materials turning up hours late or being sent to the wrong end of the country, infuriating voters.The election on Tuesday had been plagued by problems from the outset, with voting materials turning up hours late or being sent to the wrong end of the country, infuriating voters.
Ms. Banda enjoyed huge good will when she came to power two years ago, but her popularity waned after she was forced to impose austerity measures, and after a scandal in which large sums of cash were found in the car of a senior government official.Ms. Banda enjoyed huge good will when she came to power two years ago, but her popularity waned after she was forced to impose austerity measures, and after a scandal in which large sums of cash were found in the car of a senior government official.