Staff ReporterThere were chaotic scenes in Malawi’s capital, Lilongwe, on Wednesday as civil society groups and opposition supporters protested against the results of May’s election.
The demonstrations descended into chaos with shops and property destroyed and at least two local journalists assaulted.
This was the latest round of protests organised by civil society organisations. They have been supported by the main opposition Malawi Congress Party (MCP) and the fairly recently formed UTM party headed by the previous Vice-President, Saulos Chilima.
Protesters are demanding the resignation of the chair of the election management body, Jane Ansah, who they accuse of mismanaging the election.
Ms Ansah insists she will only resign if proven guilty in an ongoing case in which the opposition have petitioned the Supreme Court to nullify the presidential election results.
Protests have been routinely held across Malawi since the vote and have often ended in violence and looting. But Wednesday marked the first time journalists had been targeted.
The two journalists who were attacked sustained minor injuries.
