Malawi elections: Civil society warns as rival Chakwera, Mutharika camps both claim victory
As vote counting continues in Malawi’s general elections, civil society leaders have cautioned political parties against declaring themselves winners before the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) has formally released the results.
Gift Trapence, vice chairperson of the Civil Society Elections Integrity Forum (CSEIF) and chairperson of the Human Rights Defenders Coalition, raised concerns that early victory claims by various political camps could damage confidence in the process.
“More than 60% of registered voters turned out to cast their ballots,” Trapence said, adding that tallying remained incomplete in some districts.
The tension comes as political parties have already begun declaring victory ahead of the final tally. The ruling Malawi Congress Party (MCP) has claimed an “emphatic victory” for President Lazarus Chakwera. Jessie Kabwila, MCP’s publicity secretary, was quoted as saying: “The message from the people is loud and clear. They believe in the vision of Dr Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera … Winners do not cause havoc – they celebrate with peace and dignity.”
In response, the opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), led by former president Peter Mutharika, dismissed the MCP’s claim as premature. DPP spokesperson Shadric Namalomba said Mutharika was the real choice of the people and accused the ruling party of refusing to acknowledge an alternative result.
Trapence emphasised that no political party should claim victory until the MEC completes its work.
“No individual, political party, or grouping may claim victory until the Malawi Electoral Commission, the body legally mandated to manage elections, has completed its work and formally declared the results. The verdict belongs to the people, and the determination of the winner rests with the Commission acting within the law,” he said.
He also praised polling staff and security personnel for their professionalism at tally centres, saying their presence had “helped maintain calm and confidence in this critical stage of the electoral process.”
CSEIF further urged MEC to ensure credible electronic transmission of results, resisting political pressure for announcements, and respecting statutory timelines: eight days for the presidential result, 14 days for parliamentary elections, and 21 days for local government elections.
Trapence also called on winners to celebrate with humility and on losing candidates to accept the outcome with dignity.
“The true test of leadership is not only in victory but in how one responds to defeat. Accepting the will of the people is not weakness; it is statesmanship and a commitment to safeguard Malawi’s hard-earned peace and stability,” he said.
A total of 17 presidential candidates, including incumbent president Chakwera, former president Mutharika, another former president Joyce Banda, and former Reserve Bank Governor Dalitso Kabambe, contested the polls.
jonisayi.maromo@iol.co.za
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