Malawi ex-president takes clear lead in vote-count, results show

Malawi’s former president Peter Mutharika has taken a strong lead in the country’s presidential election as provisional results continue to come in.

With 66 percent of the valid ballots in his favor, Mutharika, who is 85 years old, is well ahead of incumbent Lazarus Chakwera, who is trailing with 24 percent. This result has surprised many as Mutharika has secured victories in key areas that were traditionally considered Chakwera strongholds, including the capital city Lilongwe and Nkhotakota.

Despite this setback, Chakwera’s camp remains hopeful, saying that results from districts yet to be declared could significantly boost his tally and possibly force a run-off. According to Malawi’s electoral laws, a candidate must secure more than 50 percent of the vote to win outright.

The Malawi Electoral Commission has until Wednesday to release the final result of the election held last week. Citizens across the country are eagerly waiting for the outcome, with two large districts still to declare that could influence the final result.

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The vote count has not been without controversy as challenges and disputes continue to emerge.

Chakwera’s team has raised concerns about alleged irregularities in the process and has requested a physical audit of the results, though they have not provided details of the anomalies they claim to have found. Police have also reported that eight data entry clerks were arrested for allegedly attempting to manipulate the outcome of the vote.

In response, the electoral commission has emphasized its commitment to transparency and credibility. Officials have said that every tally sheet is being carefully reviewed before the final results are announced. This cautious approach comes after the annulment of Mutharika’s 2019 victory by the constitutional court, which cited serious irregularities, leading to a re-run that was won by Chakwera.

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However, during Chakwera’s time in office, Malawi has faced worsening economic conditions, including rising inflation, shortages of food and fuel, and frequent power blackouts. Many citizens are now questioning his leadership and are watching closely to see if Mutharika can make a political comeback or if a run-off will be required.