The Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC), has confirmed that it has received a letter from Nkhatabay Central constituency parliamentarian, Symon Vuwa Kaunda, who is demanding K600 million from the electoral body as compensation following the fresh election which was conducted on June 29.
Kaunda, through his lawyer, Leonard Mbuno, wrote MEC demanding the compensation claiming that he has suffered physical, psychological and economic torture to defend and reclaim his parliamentary seat which was nullified by the Supreme Court in April this year.
MEC spokesperson, Sangwani Mwafulirwa, has confirmed that the commission has received the letter on Wednesday, and they will respond in an appropriate time.
Mwafulirwa said: “The commission has late this morning received the letter and will look into the issue and possibly draft response to him within the time he has requested.”
He further said the commission will send the response direct to the parliamentarian without leaking the context to the media, in respect of communication protocols, and it’s going to be up to the addressee to make it public.
The letter by Kaunda’s lawyer was revealed on Tuesday.
Reads part of the letter to MEC: “After considering all the necessary factors and the relevant laws we find that your institution is liable for the sufferings that our client has undergone due to your recklessness in the discharge of your duties. Thus on behalf of our client, we hereby demand from you the sum of K600 million to be paid within 14 days.”
In April this year, the Supreme Court seating in Blantyre nullified results of 2019 parliamentary elections for Nkhatabay Central constituency where Vuwa Kaunda was declared winner before he reclaimed his seat in fresh elections conducted on June 29.