As only hours are remaining for Human Right Defenders Coalition (HRDC) to hold the 5th national wide protest to force the immediate resignation of Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) Chairperson to Dr. Jane Ansah, Standard Bank will not open for business on Tuesday.

This has been disclosed in a statement released by the bank management made available to faceofmalawi reporter.

According to the statement, the decision has been taken to protect bank’s staff members and customers from the said demonstrations.

“Standard Bank wishes to notify its valued customers that it will not open for business on Tuesday, 6th August 2019. This is to ensure the safety of our staff members and customers in light of the planned demonstrations in Mzuzu, Blantyre and Lilongwe.

“Customers are therefore encouraged to use any of our digital products to access financial services including: 247 App, 247 Mobile, 247 ATMs and CDMs, Enterprise Online, Business Online, anywhere and at anytime,” reads part of the statement.

Malawi Congress Party (MCP) and United Transformation Movement (UTM) party led by its leaders are disputing the outcome of the May 21 polls.

The two parties have since dragged MEC to court seeking nullification of the Presidential results.