The ruling Malawi Congress Party (MCP) has pledged to accept the outcome of last week’s general elections but called on electoral authorities to address concerns over alleged irregularities in the vote counting process.
Speaking at a press briefing in Lilongwe on Sunday, MCP vice presidential candidate Vitumbiko Mumba said the party had full confidence in the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) and its commitment to delivering credible results.
“The ability to declare the rightful winner is in the hands of MEC and we trust the commission to ensure transparency and fairness,” Mumba said.
He added that the party had formally submitted concerns regarding the tallying process and expected them to be addressed in accordance with the law.
Mumba also warned that any verified instances of electoral malpractice would be treated seriously, with appropriate action taken against those responsible.
His remarks come amid growing anticipation over the final results of the 16 September general elections, which saw Malawians vote for president, members of parliament and local councillors.
Provisional results released by MEC up to Sunday show former president Peter Mutharika of the opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) ahead of incumbent President Lazarus Chakwera.
The election has been widely viewed as a two-horse race between Mutharika, 85, and Chakwera, 70, representing Malawi’s two largest political parties.
Mutharika, who served as president from 2014 to 2020, campaigned on a platform of economic recovery and infrastructure development.
Chakwera, elected in a court-ordered re-run in 2020, has faced criticism over his handling of corruption cases and persistent economic challenges.
The MEC has until 24 September to announce the full provisional results.
It has cautioned candidates against declaring victory prematurely and affirmed that all tally sheets are being cross-checked to ensure accuracy.
Under Malawi’s electoral law, a candidate must secure more than 50 percent of valid votes to avoid a runoff.
Meanwhile, DPP elections director Jean Mathanga also commended MEC for its conduct and expressed confidence that the will of Malawians would be respected.
“We appreciate MEC’s fair handling of the elections and trust that the final outcome will reflect the people’s choice,” Mathanga said.
The 2025 vote marks another critical test for Malawi’s democratic institutions, following the annulment of the 2019 presidential election due to widespread irregularities, including the use of correction fluid on results sheets.
That ruling led to the historic 2020 re-run, which brought Chakwera to power.
JN/APA