Kazombo v Malawi Electoral Commission (Judicial Review Cause 61 of 2025) [2025] MWHCCiv 13 (22 September 2025)

IN THE HIGH COURT OF MALAWI LILONGWE DISTRICT REGISTRY CIVIL DIVISION JUDICIAL REVIEW CAUSE NO. 61 OF 2025 BETWEEN THE STATE On application by MADALITSO FRED KAZOMBO) …………………………….. APPLICANT -AND- MALAWI ELECTORAL COMMISSION ……………………..…… RESPONDENT CORAM: HON. JUSTICE VIOLET PALIKENA-CHIPAO Mr. Oscar Taulo, Counsel for the Applicant Vincent Khombe, Court Clerk and Official Interpreter Chipao, J RULING ON APPLICATION FOR LEAVE TO APPLY FOR JUDICIAL REVIEW 1. The Applicant, Mr. Madalitso Fred Kazombo has petitioned this court seeking permission to commence judicial review proceedings against the Malawi Electoral Commission in respect of its decision in relation to the just conducted election whose results we are still waiting. The application for leave is made pursuant to Order 19 rule 20, 21 and 22 as read with rule 13 and 19 of the Courts (High Court) (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2017 (hereinafter the CPR). 2. Upon going through the application, sworn statement verifying grounds for judicial review and the skeleton arguments in support of the application, the court noted a number of irregularities or errors in the manner in which the documents were prepared including typos, wrong citations of provisions in some respects, unclear arguments and compounding of facts among others. It would appear the application was done in a hurry and without proof such that in some respects, it is difficult to appreciate what Counsel intended to communicate to the court. 3. In this regard, the application cannot be granted. It is dismissed with liberty to refile a properly drafted application and supporting documents if the Applicant so wishes. If the Applicant decides to refile the judicial review proceedings, the application for leave should be made with notice to the Respondent. 4. It is so ordered. Made in Chambers on 22nd day of September, 2025 V. Palikena-Chipao JUDGE