The Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives (CDEDI) has threatened to drag Registrar of Political Parties Chikumbutso Namelo to court over failure by his office to disclose information on political party financing.

According to a letter dated 17th May 2021 addressed to CDEDI, the Registrar requested the human rights advocacy institution to furnish his office with the organisation`s details saying that he was unable to find it in records.

But speaking to journalists in Lilongwe, CDEDI Executive Director Sylvester Namiwa said the Namelo`s demands are a mockery to Malawians.

“Instead of responding to the call, CDEDI regrets to inform Malawians that Mr Chikumbutso Numeri, who is the current Registrar of Political Parties, responded by asking us to furnish him with our registration details as a precondition to making available the information we are seeking.

“We find such a response as a mockery to Malawians, total disrespect of the office he is occupying, and a futile attempt to defend the indefensible,” said Namiwa in a statement.

He has since given the Registrar a 2-day ultimatum and that if his office fails providing such details, CDEDI will proceed to seek legal intervention on their demands.

“Following this submission, we have extended our ultimatum with two (2) days, and we are expecting positive response from the registrar’s office on or before Monday, 31st May, 2021.

Should our request hit a blank wall, CDEDI will still proceed to seek legal intervention on our demands, which are enshrined in the country’s constitution,” reads the statement.

But when contacted for comment over the development, Namelo said he will respond to CDEDI.

Namelo said he saw the email on the organisation`s registration details late.
CDEDI was registered as a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) in the country on 29th November 2019.