Staff Reporter

Malawi is on edge as the two primary political parties, the ruling Malawi Congress Party (MCP) and the opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), have each declared victory in the 2025 general elections before the official results are released by the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC).

Yesterday the MCP, led by incumbent President Lazarus Chakwera, released a statement asserting an emphatic victory.

According to the party’s publicity secretary, Jessie Kabwila, the win is a clear message from voters who believe in the vision of Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera.

In a swift and direct response, DPP spokesperson Shadric Namalomba dismissed the MCP’s announcement as premature, stating that the people have spoken clearly and that former President Peter Mutharika is their choice for leader.

Namalomba called on President Chakwera to step aside and respect the will of the people.

The Malawi Electoral Commission has stepped in to de-escalate the situation, reminding the public that only results declared by the commission are legally binding. The MEC confirmed that the transmission of results is ongoing, with both physical and electronic transfers being processed.

The commission stressed that it will not be pressured and will take the necessary time to ensure the accuracy of the final count.

Under Malawian law, the MEC has up to eight days to announce the presidential results.

The current results suggest that the DPP’s Peter Mutharika is currently leading in several regions, including areas that are typically strongholds for the MCP.

The current standoff puts the integrity of the 2025 election process under intense scrutiny once again.