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Malawi’s President Lazarus Chakwera is set to concede defeat to former President Peter Mutharika, who is leading with more than 65 percent of the total valid votes, according to official results.
Chakwera, who had resisted acknowledging the outcome for several days despite unofficial tallies showing Mutharika ahead with over 56 percent against his 33 percent, reportedly agreed to concede only after the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) privately communicated the official figures to him, as protocol requires for an incumbent president.
Sources say Chakwera’s inner circle, led by his running mate Vitumbiko Mumba and Malawi Congress Party (MCP) secretary-general Richard Chimwendo Banda, had been holding press briefings dismissing the results and attributing their loss to alleged irregularities.
Electoral trends reveal a disappointing outcome for the incumbent. The MCP, traditionally dominant in the central region, lost key districts including Salima, Ntcheu, and Lilongwe City. In contrast, Mutharika swept both the northern and southern regions.
Legal attempts by the MCP to block the MEC from announcing the winner were swiftly dismissed by the courts.
A statement from State House confirmed that President Chakwera will address the nation today, September 24 2025, at 12 p.m.
Chakwera’s administration has faced mounting criticism over corruption scandals, including the controversial arrest of Anti-Corruption Bureau director Martha Chizuma. His government also struggled with hyperinflation, foreign exchange shortages, fuel scarcity, and soaring food and living costs.
The MEC is expected to formally announce the results later this afternoon. From 24 out of 36 constituencies tallied so far, Mutharika maintains a commanding lead. Exit polls conducted on social media platforms X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook also projected him as the winner, placing him above 55 percent, with Chakwera trailing at around 30 percent.
