Protests Against Election Result Continue In Malawi

This week saw more protests against the official results declared in the disputed Malawian presidential election held in May 21. 

Protestors marched in Lilongwe and Blantyre, organized by the Human Rights Defenders Coalition. Police were deployed to the scene and have been known to use tear gas and fire live ammunition to break up previous protests. 

In June U.S. Ambassador to Malawi Virginia Palmer was among those caught up as police tear gassed opposition supporters. Palmer was meeting with the leader of the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) Lazarus Chakwera at the time.

The opposition in Malawi alleges that the polls were rigged, claiming that results were altered using correction fluid. The official results put incumbent President Mutharika on 39 per cent of the vote, with Chakwera on 35 per cent. The MCP has challenged the outcome in the courts.