In a recent statement, Umodzi Party (UP) has called on the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) to remain resolute in the face of opposition demands for the resignation of its Chairperson, Justice Anabel Mtalimanja. UP President Thomas Wezzie Kaumba described the opposition’s calls for Mtalimanja to step down as a product of “bitterness” rather than genuine concern for Malawians.
“The opposition parties know they stand little chance of winning next year’s elections, and that is why they are calling for Mtalimanja’s resignation,” Kaumba stated.
He argued that any accusations of electoral manipulation should be substantiated in court, rather than used to press for her resignation.
The UP’s defense of Mtalimanja comes amid heightened calls for her to step down from leaders of several opposition parties, including the United Democratic Front (UDF), UTM Party, the Alliance for Democracy (AFORD), and the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).
In a formal letter, these opposition parties have accused Mtalimanja of incompetence and questioned her impartiality, citing her family ties to the Malawi Congress Party (MCP), as she is the daughter of the late MCP president, John Tembo.
Despite these allegations, Kaumba urged Mtalimanja to “stand firm” and avoid succumbing to “baseless” calls, maintaining UP’s confidence in her leadership at the MEC.
