Malawi Election Update: Officials Warn Against Premature Victory Claims

Tue Sep 23 2025 07:39:02 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

With the anticipation of election results growing, Malawi's electoral commission urges political parties to await official announcements before declaring victory, amidst claims from candidates following the recent elections.

The head of Malawi's electoral commission has cautioned political parties against announcing victory prematurely, emphasizing that only the commission is authorized to declare results. This warning comes after the ruling party led by Lazarus Chakwera and the opposition under Peter Mutharika asserted they won the recent elections. The comment aims to safeguard the electoral process amid rising tensions and public anticipation for the results, especially after past election controversies.

The head of Malawi's electoral commission has stressed the importance of waiting for official results before any political party makes a victory announcement. Annabel Mtalimanja’s statement follows claims from the two leading presidential candidates—incumbent Lazarus Chakwera and former president Peter Mutharika—who each declared their victory after a contentious election on Tuesday.

Addressing a press conference, Mtalimanja reminded the public and political factions that only the commission has the authority to release official election outcomes, as the country awaits results from polling conducted during a period marked by economic challenges.

The electoral commission has indicated that it will release the election results only after ensuring all votes have been counted and verified. This procedural rigor is vital to preempt challenges that could arise from the final tally, particularly following the controversy surrounding the 2019 elections, where irregularities led to the annulment of Mutharika's victory.

Underlining that a candidate must exceed 50% of the votes to win outright or else a runoff will be conducted, the commission is keen on maintaining transparency and trust in the electoral system. Beyond presidential elections, Malawians also participated in parliamentary and local elections amid a backdrop of rising inflation, estimated close to 30%, contributing to severe socio-economic strains.

With the high cost of living affecting daily life, many Malawians are eagerly waiting for clear electoral outcomes to chart the future path of governance, amidst concerns about fuel shortages and currency issues.