By The Forum
High Court Judge Violet Palikena-Chipao has dismissed an application by Madalitso Fred Kazombo seeking leave for judicial review against the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC), after finding glaring errors and irregularities in the documents filed.
Delivering her ruling in chambers on Monday, Justice Palikena-Chipao said the application filed under the Civil Division of the Lilongwe District Registry was riddled with typos, wrong citations of legal provisions, unclear arguments, and compounded facts that made it difficult for the court to follow the applicant’s case.
“The application appears to have been done in a hurry and without proof, such that in some respects it is difficult to appreciate what counsel intended to communicate,” she observed.
Kazombo, who had petitioned the court to challenge MEC’s handling of the just-concluded elections, was told his application could not be entertained in its current form. The judge dismissed the case but granted him liberty to refile a properly drafted application and supporting documents, this time with notice to MEC.
The dismissal comes as the nation awaits the final tally of presidential election results, with former President Peter Mutharika maintaining a commanding lead over incumbent Lazarus Chakwera.
