Malawi Awaits Presidential Election Results Amid Claims of Victory
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– Updated September 18, 2024, 17:52:59 GMT
The Current Situation
Malawi is in a state of suspense as it awaits the official results of its presidential election, held on tuesday, May 21, 2024. Both incumbent President Lazarus Chakwera and his predecessor, Peter Mutharika, have claimed victory, raising tensions as the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) has yet to release any official figures.
According to a statement by MEC spokesperson, Modesta Mtalimanja, on Thursday, May 23, only the commission is authorized to announce the results. This follows the completion of nearly all vote counting. The MEC is prioritizing a thorough tallying and verification process to prevent challenges to the final outcome, mirroring concerns from the 2019 election.
A History of Contested Elections
Malawi’s electoral history has been fraught wiht controversy. The 2019 presidential election was annulled by the Constitutional Court due to widespread irregularities as reported by Reuters. This landmark decision led to a re-run election in 2020.
Lazarus Chakwera won the 2020 re-run election by a critically important margin,unseating Peter Mutharika and becoming President. The BBC reported that Chakwera secured 58.57% of the vote, while Mutharika received 38.59%.
Peter Mutharika,now 85,is attempting a political comeback,hoping to regain the presidency he lost in 2020.
Economic Crisis Fuels the Election
The 2024 election campaign was heavily influenced by Malawi’s worsening economic crisis. The country is experiencing severe shortages of fuel and foreign currency, contributing to soaring inflation.Al Jazeera reported that the official inflation rate is nearing 30%.
The economic hardship is acutely felt by ordinary malawians. reports indicate that basic goods like a frozen chicken in Lilongwe can cost around $20 (approximately £15), while a significant portion of the population lives on $2 or less per day. This economic pressure has likely played a role in voter sentiment.
The Path to Victory
To win the presidency,a candidate must secure more than 50% of the vote. If no candidate achieves this threshold, a run-off election will be held. The MEC’s careful verification process is intended to ensure the legitimacy of the results and avoid a repeat of the 2019 controversy.
Beyond the Presidency: Parliamentary and Local Elections
Along with the presidential election, Malawians also voted in parliamentary and local elections. The outcomes of these elections will shape the composition of the government and local administrations, impacting policy implementation and service delivery.
