from MAVHUTO BANDA in Lilongwe, Malawi
Malawi Bureau
LILONGWE, (CAJ News) – MILLIONS are waiting with bated breath to know who their next president is, in what is set to be one of the most pivotal weeks in Malawi in recent years.
A week during which the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) is by law required to announce the election results has been preceded by counter accusations of vote rigging by the leading contenders, some candidates conceding defeat main opposition candidate, Peter Mutharika, assuming an early lead ahead of incumbent Lazarus Chakwera, and a proposal of an inclusive government to unite a nation polarised by the elections.
Supporters of Mutharika have taken to the streets in Lilongwe in celebration of what they deem a victory, and against vote rigging ploys.
By the “8+3 days” law, MEC can declare the result of the presidential election within eight days, but is empowered to extend the said period by 72 hours (3 days).
Elections were held last Tuesday, with 65 percent of 7,2 million voters participating to choose the president, legislators and local government officials.
The war of words between the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) and Democratic People’s Party (DPP) has even turned vulgar as both claim victory.
“DPP won erections on social media but MCP won elections we had on 16 September,” MCP charged.
This was also in response to DPP candidate Mutharika securing an early lead.
Results by the MEC this past weekend had Mutharika at 51,1 percent (with almost 410 000 votes counted so far) and Chakwera at 38,56 percent.
MCP remained confident of a comeback.
“He who laughs last, laughs with victory,” Chakwera’s party stated.
Dalitso Kabambe of the United Transformation Movement (UTM) was at 4,7 percent, highlighting how this is a two-horse race.
Allegations of intimidation, vote rigging and irregularities persist, mostly from the DPP.
DPP alleged that on Sunday morning, four men in a vehicle with a South African registration plate stormed the Calvary Family Church in Falls Estate in the capital, Lilongwe, “hunting” for Ben Phiri, Director of Political Affairs in DPP.
“Phiri has been in hiding for days now since the elections as blood thirsty crocodiles are hunting for him, attributing their miserable loss to Phiri,” DPP alleged.
The party, seeking Mutharika’s return after his defeat by Chakwera in 2020, said it was “carefully monitoring” meetings between Attorney General, Thabo Chakaka, and MEC Chief Executive Officer, Andrew Mpesi, allegedly happening inside and outside the National Tally Centre.
DPP also claims the State House had paid pro-MCP social media operatives K400 000 (US$230) each to push propaganda that DPP had rigged the elections.
DPP alleged Police Deputy Inspector General Ackis Muwanga had been tasked with faking arrests of presiding officers who are aligned with MCP and some MCP operatives had been funded to release clips and voice notes spreading reports elections had been rigged.
Emmanuel Nthambi, a publicist of the Mutharika campaign, said the MCP was “fooling itself with the idea that it can twist numbers,” while all critical stakeholders also had their own tally centres.
“By the time MEC presents official results, they are already cross-checked with these figures, so no amount of crying or drama can change anything,” he said.
This past weekend, MCP reported it had found evidence of irregularities in the vote count in 13 of Malawi’s 28 districts.
In a separate incident, police arrested eight election data entry clerks in the Lilongwe area on suspicion of “manipulating data.”
It is alleged a returning officer attempted suicide after accepting bribes in exchange for manipulating the election results.
The Civil Society Elections Integrity Forum (CSEIF) has called for a speedy and transparent investigation into the arrests of election officers.
Atupele Muluzi, presidential candidate of the United Democratic Front (UDF) claimed vote‐rigging in the party’s stronghold districts, in southern Malawi.
On a positive note, some opposition and independent candidates conceded defeat.
These include Thokozani Banda, Adil James Chilungo, Phunziro Mvula and Smart Swira (all independent) conceded alongside Kondwani Nankhumwa of the People’s Development Party (PDP).
Some went even as far as congratulating Mutharika.
Banda congratulated her “friend” Mutharika for “his successful comeback from the injutice of 2020.”
“In hopeful anticipation that President Lazarus Chakwera too shall also accept the verdict of the MEC, whichever way it goes, I applaud him,” she said.
Joseph Chidati Malunda, losing UTM candidate for Masintha constituency, conceded defeat, adding “Finally, let me congratulate the winner in our constituency, and also the larger DPP family, as Prof. Peter Mutharika is perfectly poised for victory, a turning point we all longed for.”
Justice Annabel Mtalimanja, MEC chairperson, on Sunday night expressed concern at the recent trend where some political leaders and stakeholders were making
premature declarations of victory or issuing public statements that directly
contradict results officially released by the commission.
“While we recognise and respect the freedom of expression and the right of political players to communicate with their supporters, we must emphasise the need for
accuracy, responsibility, and respect for due process in all public statements
related to the electoral process,” she said.
Hopewell Chin’ono, commentator on African politics, believes Mutharika has prevailed in the election, and advised that, “For the sake of Malawi, those who participated in the election must show humility, accept the will of the people, and congratulate the winner.”
He proposed an inclusive government, bringing together competent officials from across the political landscape, regardless of party affiliation.
“Those among them (rivals) who have the competence should be invited to government, including in cabinet, in order to unite the nation. Elections are a contest, but after the contest the people must come together as one, to build their country,” Chin’ono said.
The president of Malawi is elected using a two-round system. A run-off is held within 30 days should no candidate secure an absolute majority in the first round.
– CAJ News