Mutharika Wins Malawi’s Presidential Election

The former foreign minister is the brother of the late President Bingu wa Mutharika.

Mutharika the leader of the Democratic Progressive Party obtained 36.4% of the vote, the electoral commission announced.

Former preacher Lazarus Chakwera who was representing the Malawi Congress Party came second with 27.8% of the votes with the outgoing president Joyce Banda coming third with 20% of votes.

Banda who came to power after Bingu wa Mutharika’s death two years ago has alleged the vote was rigged.

Her administration had been hit by corruption scandals which led to donors cutting aid.

The election was chaotic, marred with many irregularities such as polling stations opening up hours late something that led to frustrated voters setting one polling station ablaze.

The Malawi Electoral Commission had asked for a 30-day extension to declare the results so that a recount could be carried out.

However, Malawi High Court judge Kenyatta Nyirenda refused to delay the release of results and ordered the commission to make its announcement on Friday.

About 7.5 million people were eligible to vote in the elections, which was described as Malawi's closest-fought poll in 20 years.

By Morgan Mueke

Source: BBC News