Malawian President Joyce Banda will not contest new elections, she announced Saturday as she nullified a vote from earlier in this week due to "irregularities." Banda's called new elections within 90 days. But the move sparked concerns her decision could lead to unrest. Banda said she was using presidential powers "in the interest of the nation," alleging widespread irregularities in Tuesday's vote. "There are so many irregularities as regards this election. I have been receiving phone calls from Malawians who are equally concerned with the way this election has been handled," Banda said at a press briefing. "It is for this reason that I am directing the Malawi Electoral Commission to stop vote counting immediately. Electoral Commission chairman Maxon Mbendera ignored Banda's order, saying the commission would finalize the vote count. Mandala Mambulasa, chairman of the Malawi Law Society, warned of unrest if the vote count was interrupted. But Banda insisted her move was the right one. At least 30 per cent of the votes have been counted so far, showing that Banda was trailing behind two other candidates. The front-runner was Peter Mutharika, brother of the late president Bingu wa Mutharika, followed by Lazarus Chakwera, an evangelical pastor and newcomer to politics. -- SPA 18:42 LOCAL TIME 15:42 GMT تغريد
