Thousands of opposition supporters have taken to the streets of several cities in Malawi to protest against last month’s re-election of President Peter Mutharika.
The protesters in this southern African nation demanded the resignation of Malawi Electoral Commission chairwoman Jane Ansah. A Human Rights Defenders Coalition statement alleged that the commission did not properly deal with more than 140 election-related complaints, and it accused Ansah of a “scandalous approach and stubborn attitude” in managing voters’ concerns.
President Mutharika won the election with less than 40% of the vote.
Opposition leaders Lazarus Chakwera and Saulos Chilima, who finished second and third in the election, respectively, joined the protesters in the capital, Lilongwe. Both are challenging the election results in court, alleging irregularities. Also present was former Chief Justice Richard Banda, the husband of former President Joyce Banda.
Judges are due to rule on the case on Friday.
Malawian news site Zodiak Online has been tweeting photos from the demonstration in Lilongwe, the capital:
