United Transformation Movement (UTM) has pulled out of forthcoming by-election to be conducted by the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) months after the disputed May 21 polls.

UTM statement comes barely hours after the main opposition Malawo Congress Party (MCP) also issued a statement on the same, saying the party is taking part in the polls just to fulfill the wish of the affected constituency but the party is against the polls.

MEC will hold by-elections in Lilongwe South Constituency and Matenje Ward in Kasungu on November 5, 2019.

“UTM Party would like to announce to the nation, its members, supporters and all concerned parties that on reflection, it has decided to withdraw from participarting in the November 5,2019 by-elections in Lilongwe south Constituency and Matenje Ward in Kasungu North Constituency. We have, therefore, withdrawn our candidature from the planned by-elections,” reads in part the statement signed by UTM spokesperson Joseph Chidanti Malunga.

Below is the statement;