The Constitutional Court on Monday nullified the May 21 presidential election and ordered fresh elections within 150 days.
The five-panel of judges said the poll was marred with “widespread irregularities” including use of tippex to alter results.
The court said Professor Peter Mutharika remains President and Dr Saulos Chilima Vice President.
It ruled that Parliament should make legislation to ensure the president elect in the fresh election is given a 5-year mandate and ensure the passing of 50+1 bill.
On the cost, the court said that to ensure that cost should not hinder people to litigation, the first respondent should not pay any cost but MEC should pay the petitioners since is a public institution.
The presidential election case was presided over Justice Ivy Kamanga, Justice Dingiswayo Madise, Justice Redson Kapindu, Justice Healey Potani and Justice Mike Tembo.
During the commencement of the ruling on Monday morning, Lead Judge Justice Healey Potani announced that the court will present the full detailed copies of the judgement to the concerned parties on Tuesday.
Business at stand still
The normally business bumbling cities on Monday turned into ghost places as quite like a grave as the landmark presidential elections case ruling was being delivered at the Constitutional Court in Lilongwe.
Our reporters who were stationed in Blantyre, Zomba, Lilongwe and Mzuzu reported that most shops and other business outlets remain closed despite a heavy presence of security personnel.
Despite not being declared a public holiday, government offices, schools as well as private businesses were closed.
