'We’ll never have another Malawi'

Malawians are anxiously awaiting a ruling from the constitutional court on an appeal against the election results in May that saw President Peter Mutharika returned to office with 38.6% of the vote.

The losing candidates alleged that the electoral process, especially the way the results were handled, was full of irregularities.

Opposition candidate Lazarus Chakwera went to court to argue that he should have been declared the winner - his official share of the vote was 35.4%. A former ally of the president, Saulos Chilima, who came third with 20.2%, is also challenging the election result. Protesters have backed their complaint.

In court, the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) defended its handling of the vote as being in keeping with the law.

But Human Rights Defenders' Coalition Chairman Timothy Mtambo told BBC Newsday he is hopeful that the result will be annulled:

"Today we are expecting justice. We were shocked as a nation to see Tipp-Ex correction fluid on our electoral documents. They were full of irregularities, there was electoral manipulation."

"If the constitutional court confirms that there were massive irregularities and the election results cannot be confirmed, then it shall mean to us that we are vindicated."

"We are advising citizens to remain peaceful and calm. This is our country, we'll never have another Malawi."

"The numerous problems our country is facing will not be solved by just changing from one president to another. But we are just looking at it as a means to an end - that the will of the people should be manipulated at any time."