The High court in Blantyre has ruled that Malawi Electoral Commission (Mec) should not use a new voters roll during the by-elections to be held in some constituencies where results were nullified by the court over irregularities.

The court has also directed that only candidates who competed during the 2019 elections should be allowed to compete during the fresh elections.

Lawyer for Martin Nyengo, an independent candidate for Mangochi North, Chimwemwe Kakua as well as Mec’s Director of Media Sangwani Mwafulirwa have confirmed the development.

Mwafulirwa says the commission will meet soon to map the way forward. But in the meantime, Mwafulirwa says the Commission will proceed with receiving nomination papers in the respective constituencies.

This means that only Lilongwe North West, which fell vacant when President Lazarus Chakwera was elected president, and Karonga Central whose MP died, will be allowed to use new voters roll.