Former president Peter Mutharika has won Malawi’s presidential election, marking a dramatic political return at the age of 85.
Official results released by the electoral commission on Tuesday showed Mutharika securing 57% of the vote, defeating incumbent Lazarus Chakwera, 70, who polled 33%. Chakwera conceded before the final tally, congratulating his rival on what he called a “historic win.”
“The anomalies do not necessarily mean that the election result projecting Professor Mutharika as the winner is not credible or a reflection of the will of the people,” Chakwera said in his concession speech, adding that he accepted the outcome in respect for Malawians’ “collective will to have a change of government.”
Mutharika, a former law professor, previously led Malawi from 2014 to 2020. His 2019 re-election was annulled by the courts over irregularities, leading to his defeat by Chakwera in a rerun. This latest contest was the fourth time the two faced each other at the polls.
News of Chakwera’s concession sparked celebrations in Lilongwe, where Mutharika’s supporters poured into the streets chanting “adadi” (father) and “achoke” (he must go). Jubilant crowds tore down posters of the outgoing president, while others sang, danced, and honked car horns late into the night.
The election commission said it used the full eight days permitted to release results in order to verify votes and resolve complaints.
Mutharika returns to office at a time of severe economic strain, with inflation near 30%, persistent fuel and foreign currency shortages, and the cost of basic goods such as frozen chicken soaring to $20 in a country where most people live on less than $2 a day. Critics blame Chakwera for worsening hardship through corruption scandals and poor governance, while his allies point to global shocks, including natural disasters, the Covid-19 pandemic, and the war in Ukraine.
Campaigning on the slogan “a return to proven leadership,” Mutharika promised to restore economic stability, pointing to his earlier record of curbing inflation. However, concerns linger about his health, as he made only limited public appearances during the campaign.
His swearing-in must take place within seven to 30 days of the results being declared.
