Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Alfred Gangata has appealed against a High Court of Malawi ruling that allowed an election petition challenging his victory in Lilongwe City Mtandire-Mtsiriza Constituency. He also wants the Malawi Supreme Court of Appeal to put aside implementation of the High Court decision pending determination of the appeal. Gangata argued that High Court Judge Simeon Mdeza had already determined the matter when he ruled on his earlier challenge to the Malawi Electoral Commission’s (MEC) decision to nullify the constituency election. In his petition, Zulu argues that MEC failed to investigate several serious irregularities before declaring Gangata the winner, contending that the election outcome could have been different had those issues been properly considered. On November 20 2025, MEC, in compliance with a High Court order, declared Gangata the winner of the constituency after he polled 12 369 votes against Zulu’s 12 360.