The parliament of Malawi has passed a law that sets 19 May 2020 as the date for fresh presidential elections. Earlier this month, the Constitutional Court overturned the results of last year’s election that saw President Peter Mutharika narrowly re-elected, citing widespread irregularities – especially the “massive” use of correction fluid on tally sheets. The new law passed on Monday includes provision for a run-off presidential election to be held if no candidate wins a 50% plus one majority. Parliament also passed a bill to ensure that the electoral commission’s chairperson is first nominated by the Judicial Service Commission, then appointed by the president on the recommendation of the Public Appointments Committee. Since 2014, Mutharika, a 79-year-old former law professor, has managed to rein in rising prices of basic goods and improve roads and other infrastructure in the southern African nation.

Source: The North Africa Journal February 25, 2020 16:52 UTC