Malawi’s President Joyce Banda says she is annulling this week’s general election – in which she was a candidate – because of voting “irregularities”.
Ms Banda had earlier said Tuesday’s vote had been marred by rigging, multiple voting and computer-hacking.
She said a new vote should be held within 90 days but she would not stand again in any new poll.
However, correspondents say it is unclear whether the Malawian president has the power to order an election.
“I am nullifying the elections, using the powers invested in me by the Malawi constitution,” Ms Banda told a news conference, according to Reuters.
“I want to give Malawians an opportunity to choose a candidate of their choice in a free and fair manner. When elections are to be held again, I will be stepping aside,” she added.
Late on Friday, the Malawi Electoral Commission said rival candidate Peter Mutharika had taken a lead of 42 per cent, with 30 per cent of votes counted. Joyce Banda was in second place with 23 per cent, the commission said.
Mrs Banda had previously accused a party, which she did not name, of infiltrating and hacking the MEC’s counting system.
The MEC’s chairman denied that its system had been hacked. Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
Ha ha haa, Africa! It would have been great if she cancelled an election in which she was leading. Anyway, she said she will not be standing again!
ReplyDeleteAnother IBB in the making, stepping aside after annulling an election she was trailing opposition behind.....lol
ReplyDelete