Malawi’s opposition alliance has claimed victory for its candidate in Tuesday’s presidential re-run election.
Lazarus Chakwera was the main challenger to incumbent, Peter Mutharika whose re-election last year was annulled by the court.
Backed by other opposition parties, Chakwera is reportedly heading for victory with over 55 percent of the votes so far.
Malawi’s state and private media have all reported that Chakwera has a comfortable 55% lead while Mutharika has 40% of the votes.
According to the state broadcaster MBC Lazarus Chakwera has 60% of the vote so far with ballots from 25 of 28 districts counted.
Meanwhile the Electoral Commission chairman Chifundo Kachale has urged Malawians to be patient and wait for the official result.
“With all votes … tallied, it is now clear that Malawians have resoundingly given (the opposition)…alliance the mandate to govern this country for the next five years,” a statement from Chakwera’s Tonse Alliance said.
“Malawians have at last reclaimed their destiny.”
An election observation consortium monitoring the poll said the process was impressive amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
There have been no major reports of irregularities just yet with results almost set for official declaration.
#UnofficialResults from 193 of 193 constituencies
Lazarus Chakwera – 59.0%
Peter Kuwani – 1.2%
Peter Mutharika – 38.7%#TimesNews pic.twitter.com/R9wLCOzDi5— Times 360 Malawi (@bnltimes) June 25, 2020
Source: Africafeeds.com
