The High Court in Mzuzu has ruled in favour of Vitumbiko Mumba by nullifying the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) primary election results for Mzimba Central Constituency, citing serious irregularities that undermined the integrity of the process.
The primaries, held on 11 May 2025, had declared Adamson Kuseri Mkandawire as the winner. However, the court found that the election was conducted using a fraudulent electoral college and a queuing system instead of the secret ballot as mandated by the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC).
The court established that some of the voters who formed the electoral college were unlawfully selected, putting the credibility of the results into question. It further found that the party’s use of a queuing system contravened its own NEC resolution of January 2025, which required the use of a secret ballot to ensure transparency and fairness.
Justice Justus Kishindo, presiding over the matter, ordered the MCP to conduct fresh primary elections in Mzimba Central, in line with the NEC’s approved procedures.
Vitumbiko Mumba had challenged the outcome of the primary election, arguing that the process was manipulated to favour his opponent. His legal team pointed to the use of a fake voters’ roll and the unlawful selection of delegates as key irregularities.
Adamson Kuseri Mkandawire, who was announced as the winner of the earlier vote, has acknowledged the court’s decision and indicated he will await guidance from the party on the way forward.
Meanwhile, the MCP has not yet issued an official statement on the ruling or the scheduled re-run.
