afrol News, 8 April - The former president of Malawi, Bakili Muluzi is running between the courts of law fighting for the right to contest the 19 May election, while also defending his name against corruption charges.

Mr Muluzi is set to appear in court tomorrow where he is facing multiple charges of corruption for allegedly siphoning donor money while still in office.

He is charged together with his former close aide for allegedly making himself rich with amounts said to be totaling close to US$ 11 million.

Having ruled Malawi from 1994 to 2004, Mr Muluzi had launched a come-back bid to the presidency, but was slapped with a cold shoulder return by the country's electoral commission, saying he could not seek a third term.

The Malawi constitutional court however threw out an application by Mr Muluzi challenging the electoral commission decision to bar him from contesting the presidential election.

The court said Mr Muluzi did not follow the right procedures in his application against the commission ruling. The court further advised him to refresh his application against the running time to the election date.

Mr Muluzi's removal from the list of candidates to contest the presidency has been seen as a possible instigator for fresh tensions in Malawi's constitutional and electoral route.

The African Union has been instrumental in brokering a leadership dialogue earlier this year when tension almost reached a boiling point as campaigning took a fierce turn in the country.

Mr Muluzi has been on the political run since he hand-picked current president Bingu Wa Mutharika to succeed him. Eight candidates, including one woman, are running with Mr Mutharika in the race, who is expected to win a re-election vote.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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