Counting of votes in Malawi’s re-run presidential election is still ongoing a day after voting took place.
Tuesday’s voting process was peaceful but incumbent President Peter Mutharika accused the opposition of acts of violence in its strongholds.
But an election observation consortium monitoring the poll said the process was impressive amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
Voting materials were deployed properly and coronavirus protocols were also in place at various polling centres.
Vote counting about to start at Blantyre Youth Centre. Voting closed at exactly 6pm. #FreshElection2020 #MalawiDecides2020 #NationOnline pic.twitter.com/3JBLHeNlbR
— NationOnline (@NationOnlineMw) June 23, 2020
The repeated presidential election took place following the nullification of last year’s election by the country’s constitutional court.
There were reports of widespread irregularities in the previous presidential election which was won by incumbent President Peter Mutharika.
In the re-run election, nine opposition parties united under Tonse alliance, with Lazarus Chakwera as their presidential candidate and Vice-President Saulos Chilima as his running-mate.
President Peter Mutharika is expected to face stiffer opposition this time round to affirm his re-election.
The results from the elections though may take several days before a declaration is made.
Malawi’s Electoral Commission boss Justice Chifundo Kachale has urged the public to observe necessary legal processes in dealing with electoral grievances.
Kachale hopes that would help to maintain peace and order after the entire electoral process.
Source: Africafeeds.com
