Malawi is gripped by political tension as the two main political parties have declared victory in the 2025 general elections despite official results still pending from the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC).
On Wednesday, the ruling Malawi Congress Party (MCP) issued a statement asserting an “emphatic victory” for President Lazarus Chakwera, praising voters for their peaceful conduct and reaffirming the party’s commitment to democratic norms.
“The message from the people is loud and clear. They believe in the vision of Dr Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera and in the five thematic areas that form the backbone of our development agenda,” MCP publicity secretary Jessie Kabwila said.
She urged supporters to remain calm, stating that “Winners do not cause havoc – they celebrate with peace and dignity.”
In a sharp counterstatement, opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) spokesperson Shadric Namalomba dismissed MCP’s declaration as premature and accused Chakwera of refusing to accept defeat.
“The people of Malawi have spoken, and they have spoken clearly. Peter Mutharika is the choice of Malawians. Chakwera should step aside and respect the will of the people.”
The duelling claims have sparked confusion and raised fears of unrest, with the nation anxiously awaiting MEC’s formal announcement.
Unofficial tallies circulating in local media and party networks suggest that DPP presidential candidate Peter Mutharika is leading across several regions, including urban centres and districts traditionally loyal to the MCP.
The MEC on Wednesday called for calm, reiterating that only results declared by the commission are legally binding.
In an update, the MEC confirmed that physical transmission of results from polling stations to constituency tally centres is ongoing, with electronic transmission to follow.
The commission noted that it would not rush the process or yield to political pressure.
MEC is required to announce presidential results within eight days, parliamentary within 14 days and local government within 21 days.
Under Malawi’s electoral law, the presidential winner must secure more than 50 percent of valid votes cast.
JN/APA