The ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) presidential candidate Peter Mutharika was re-elected as Malawi’s president with over 1.9 million votes (38.57%) after elections on May 21.
PovoNews.com previously reported that Malawi’s electoral commission suspended results announcement after tippex vote-rigging claims.
Malawi’s High Court initially delayed the announcement of the presidential election results on Saturday after the main opposition Malawi Congress Party (MCP) was successfully applied for an injunction against the electoral commission (MEC).
This was Malawi’s most unpredictable election as the 78-year-old former University Professor Mutharika faced a stiff challenge from main opposition leader Lazarus Chakwera of the MCP and Saulos Chilima of the recently formed UTM.
The court lifted the injunction on Monday and MEC Chairwoman Justice Jane Ansah announced the winner saying “I hereby declare Arthur Mutharika as the winner of the presidential election held on 21 May,”
In the end, about 159 000 votes separated Mutharika who had 1 940 709 votes (38.57%) from second-placed Chakwera who received 1 781 740 votes (35.41%) followed by MalawI’s outgoing VP Chilima with 1 018 369 votes (20.24%).
| Candidate | Political Party | Votes | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera | MCP | 1781740 | 35.41% |
| Saulos Klaus Chilima | UTM | 1018369 | 20.24% |
| John Eugenes Chisi | UP | 19187 | 0.38% |
| Hardwick Kaliya | IND | 15726 | 0.31% |
| Peter DSD Kuwani | MMD | 20369 | 0.41% |
| Atupele Muluzi | UDF | 235164 | 4.68% |
| Arthur Peter Mutharika | DPP | 1940709 | 38.57% |
| Total valid votes | 5031264 | ||
| Spoit votes | 74719 | ||
| Total votes | 5105983 | ||
| Total voting centers | 5002 | ||
| Registered voters | 6859570 |
