Malawi Electoral Commission Warns Against Premature Victory Claims As Parties Clash
The Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) has warned political parties against declaring electoral victory before official results are released, amid growing tension between supporters of incumbent President Lazarus Chakwera and his predecessor Peter Mutharika.
Both the ruling Malawi Congress Party (MCP) and the opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) have claimed victory in Tuesday’s presidential election, even though the MEC has not yet announced the outcome. Chairperson Annabel Mtalimanja stressed at a press briefing that only the commission has the legal mandate to release results, adding that the process will only be concluded after all votes are tallied and verified.
So far, only three councils have completed transmitting results to the National Tally Centre, with the majority still outstanding. By law, the MEC has up to eight days to declare the presidential result, 14 days for parliamentary elections, and 21 days for local government polls. A candidate must secure more than 50% of valid votes cast to avoid a runoff.
Civil society groups, including the Malawi Law Society and the Concerned Citizens of Malawi, have also urged political parties and citizens to exercise restraint, warning that premature declarations risk inflaming tensions. The calls for patience come against the backdrop of a fragile economy marked by soaring inflation nearing 30%, fuel shortages, and a severe foreign currency crisis.
The outcome of the election is highly anticipated, not only because of Malawi’s difficult economic climate but also due to its recent electoral history. In 2019, Mutharika’s re-election was annulled by the Constitutional Court following widespread irregularities, leading to a rerun that was won by Chakwera in 2020. Now, at 85, Mutharika is seeking a dramatic political comeback, while Chakwera, 70, is aiming to secure another term.
Tags: Malawi Presidential Elecetion Signs Editor's Pick Signs Media Signstv
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FELIX MAKONA
An editor at Signs Tv
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