Registration Period and Statutory Time Frames 11. THAT according to Section 29 of the Parliamentary and Presidential Elections Act, the period of 14 days for registration of voters which the 2nd Respondent set is only the minimum period since Section 29provides that such period shall not be less than 14 days expiring not less than 21 days before the first polling day. This means the period may not be less than 14 days but it can be 14 days or more, so extension or re - opening ofthe registration centres affected by the irregularities or challenges stated above to beyond the previous 14 days would not be unlawfid under the Parliamentary' and Presidential Elections Act. 12. THA T as a result of these challenges or problems, thousands ofeligible and potential voters were excluded and thereby disenfranchised which is an infringement of their right to vote and make their own political choices. COMPLAINTSAND RESPONSES OF THE COMMISSION 13. THAT these concerns or complaints were duly brought to the attention of the 2nd Respondent by the Malawi Congress Party both in writing on 5th July, 2018 and later verbally at a meeting with the Chairperson of the 2nd Respondent which was held in Blantyre on 12th July, 2018, but the 2nd Respondent has still not made any decision on the complaints and request to re- open or extend the registration. Instead it gave all indications that it was not prepared to re - open registration in these 7 pilot districts where these problems were experienced. 14. THAT at the meeting of the National Elections Consultative Forum (NECOF) on 17th July 2018 between the 2nd Respondent and other 14