BLANTYRE—(MalawianWatchdog)—Malawi Electoral Commission chairperson Jane Ansah has denied to comment on the ongoing protests organized by the Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC), thereby sending a strong message that she is not resigning until the constitutional court gives a verdict on the electoral case.
Responding to Weekend Nation, Ansah exercised her constitutional right to remain silent by saying “no comment”.
HRDC is holding national wide protests in a bid to force Ansah to resign from her position as MEC chairperson, arguing she mismanaged the May 21 elections that saw President Peter Mutharika securing a second term in office.
Ansah, who is one of the respected legal minds in the country, already trashed the calls for her resignation on principle, saying she will make a decision on whether to quit or not after the judgment of the constitutional court, where opposition Malawi Congress Party and UTM are challenging the results.
Commenting on the Ansah’s silence, University of Malawi’s Chancellor College based constitutional law Professor Edge Kanyongolo, freedom of expression enshrined in the Republican Constitution also includes “freedom not to express yourself.”
Property worth billions of kwacha is being damaged and stolen every time the HRDC holds its anti-Ansah protests in the country.
The next demonstrations are scheduled from 26th to 30th August.
