John Adoyi
Nearly a week after Malawians went to the polls, the country is still waiting for an official declaration of the presidential election result.
The Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) has yet to finalise the count, even as pressure mounts on President Lazarus Chakwera to accept what appears to be a decisive defeat.
Partial tallies released by the commission show former president Peter Mutharika, 84, ahead with just over two million votes, compared with about 730,000 for Chakwera from 24 of the country’s 36 district councils. With 12 councils still to be confirmed, projections from broadcasters and independent tallies suggest Mutharika is on course to secure more than 56% of the vote, enough to clear the 50% plus one threshold required for an outright win.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelAccording to the MEC, more than 7.5 million Malawians were registered to vote in this year’s election.
Mutharika, who led Malawi from 2014 until his 2020 election defeat, is attempting a political comeback after years of criticism over corruption and governance. Chakwera, a former pastor who became president after that 2020 vote was annulled and rerun, is seeking a second term on a platform of reform and stability.
MEC chair Annabel Mtalimanja has said the commission is working round the clock to reconcile results and urged political parties to respect the process. Under Malawi’s electoral law, final presidential results must be announced within eight days of voting.
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Calls for Chakwera to step aside are growing louder. Former president Bakili Muluzi urged him to phone Mutharika to congratulate him. “There is life after State House,” Muluzi told local media. “Doing so would help reduce political tension and demonstrate statesmanship at this crucial time.”
The Malawi Council of Churches has also appealed for Chakwera to humbly concede, framing the move as a moral duty to safeguard national peace. Vice President Michael Usi, who also contested the poll, has called on citizens to remain patient. “This is the time to preserve calm and protect our democracy,” he said in a statement.
The situation remains tense on the ground, with rival supporters anxiously awaiting the commission’s confirmation. Malawi has a recent history of disputed elections, including the 2019 election annulled by the constitutional court over irregularities. Observers warn that any prolonged delay or contested outcome could trigger unrest.
The electoral commission has until today to announce the final result, as stipulated in the country’s electoral law.
