The Malawi Law Society asked the southern African nation’s electoral commission to decide on former President Bakili Muluzi’s eligibility to contest next year’s election. The issue must be resolved in order for free and fair elections to take place in the country, the Blantyre-based society, which represents Malawi’s legal industry, said in a statement. Muluzi served two five-year terms as Malawi’s president between 1994 and 2004. He announced plans earlier this year to run in the 2009 presidential election against incumbent President Bingu wa Mutharika. Malawi’s constitution dictates that a person shall serve as president for a maximum of two consecutive terms only. Muluzi argues that by taking a break for five years, he is now eligible to stand again. (Bloomberg)
