Outgoing President Lazarus Chakwera has conceded defeat to his predecessor and now successor Peter Mutharika of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), pledging smooth handover of power.
In a televised address on taxpayer-funded Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) Television at midday yesterday, the President also called on the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) to look into all irregularities registered, including those lodged by his Malawi Congress Party (MCP) as well as other parties.
Chakwera described the outcome of the election as a reflection of the collective will of Malawians to change government; hence, his decision to concede defeat and respect that will.
He said: “I have already instructed my team to begin preparations to render the incoming administration any support needed to ensure a seamless process that safeguards our nation’s peace, order, institutions, public services and constitutionalism.
“Additionally, I have issued directives for all my staff to see to it that over the coming days, all State Residences are left in good order and in time for the President-Elect to move in upon taking his oath of office.”
On irregularities, Chakwera said MEC has the responsibility to identify them and ensure that they are addressed fully and transparently and hold to account those responsible for.
“The anomalies do not necessarily mean that the election result projecting Professor Mutharika as the winner is not credible or a reflection of the will of the people,” he said.
Chakwera’s running mate Vitumbiko Mumba, who on Friday and Sunday addressed the media highlighting anomalies and stressing that Chakwera was the winner, also took to Facebook where he called for peaceful power transition.
“I urge all those at MCP HQ [headquarters] to not repeat what happened a few days ago, lest their actions be misconstrued as they were last time. This goes to all those that voted for us across the country,” he said.
In a statement after Chakwera conceded defeat, Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR) executive director Michael Kaiyatsa commended him for his statesmanship in conceding defeat.
“In a region where peaceful transitions are not always guaranteed, President Chakwera’s dignified acceptance of the election reaffirms Malawi’s growing democratic maturity and sets a commendable example for leaders across the continent,” he said.
In a separate statement, human rights activist Undule Mwakasungula said the outgoing leader had shown maturity and statesmanship.
Chakwera’s gesture made him only the country’s second president to concede defeat before official results after founding president Hastings Kamuzu Banda did the same to Bakili Muluzi in the first post-independence multiparty election in 1994.
On Tuesday, the High Court of Malawi rejected a last-minute attempt by Chakwera and MCP to stop the announcement of presidential election results in the September 16 General Election.
