Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) has suspended its activities including the process of reviewing constituency and ward boundaries following a legal advice from Attorney General (AG) Chikoswa Silungwe.

Silungwe said the Commission can no longer discharge duties after government’s decision to rescind the appointment of two MEC commissioners Jean Mwathanga and Linda Kunje.

He said the membership of the Commission is no longer in line with the country’s constitution which stipulates that the commission shall constitute a chairperson and other members not less than six.

In reaction to the advice, Justice Kachale said the electoral commission has suspended all its activities saying the Commission has no legal authority to continue implementing its activities.

“The Commission has henceforth no legal authority or basis to continue implementing its activities,” Kachale said.

Among other activities affected include engagement of political party leaders and the process of constituency and ward boundary review and demarcation.

Justice Kachale said that the suspension will stand until relevant authorities made a resolution on composition of the Commission.