Malawi’s leader concedes defeat following losing his bid

2025-09-25 09:05:12

(MENAFN) According to reports, Malawi’s President Lazarus Chakwera has acknowledged defeat in his bid for a second term, following an election heavily influenced by the country’s ongoing economic challenges.

The electoral commission announced that Chakwera received 33% of the vote in the September 16 election, while his challenger, former president Arthur Peter Mutharika, won 56.8%, securing the presidency. Candidates must obtain more than 50% of votes to win outright.

Earlier in the week, police in the capital, Lilongwe, reported the arrest of eight data entry clerks at a vote collation center for allegedly manipulating election figures.

Speaking before the official results were confirmed, Chakwera said he accepted the outcome and reached out to Mutharika to “congratulate him on his historic victory.”

“This outcome is a reflection of your collective will to have a change of government, and so it is only right that I concede defeat out of respect for your will as citizens and out of respect for the constitution,” he added.

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