Parliament has finally set June 23 as the date for the fresh presidential elections, amid protests from the government side.

The motion for setting the Presidential Elections date was moved on Tuesday by Mzimba North legislature of Alliance for Democracy (Aford) Yeremia Chihana and seconded by Lilongwe Mpenu parliamentarian, Eisenhower Mkaka of Malawi Congress Party (MCP).

The motion to gazette the date was moved by Chitipa East parliamentarian, Kezzie Msukwa, before it was adopted by the house.

However, there was commotion in the August house as the angry members from government benches booed and chanted at the First Deputy Speaker of the house, Madalitso Kazombo, in protest for the decision.

Leader of the House Kondwani Nankhumwa told the media that as Government side was ambushed by the motion saying it was not a private members day.

Nankhumwa said: “We agreed in the business committee that according to the standing orders we are circulating the bill today (Tuesday) and on Wednesday we are going to prioritize such a business.

“It was uncalled for and irregular. We were ambushed by the first deputy speaker, and he ended up suspending the house and announced that the motion is carried amid such protest.

He therefore said Government will refer the matter to the speake5rship legal team to consider the standing orders.

Meanwhile, new Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) Chairperson, Justice Chifundo Kachale and six commissioners have been sworn on Tuesday, giving them mandate to preside over the fresh presidential elections.