Staff Reporter

Blantyre was swept by a wave of premature celebration yesterday night as thousands of people flooded the streets, convinced that Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) candidate Peter Mutharika had won the September 16 presidential election.

The festivities, which began around 8:39 p.m., unfolded even as the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) is yet to declare a victory.

The jubilation was ignited by reports circulating through the commercial city.

In neighborhoods like Mbayani, the evening calm was shattered by the sound of whistles, drums, and chants.

Crowds gathered at local markets before pouring onto major roads, chanting “tiyeni kunyumba kwa adad komweko” (let’s go to our father’s house), a reference to Mutharika.

According to the official figures released by MEC, Mutharika holds a lead with 501,897 votes (61.6%), followed by Lazarus Chakwera of the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) with 210,037 votes (25.8%), who has since conceded defeat and Dalitso Kabambe of the United Transformation Movement (UTM) with 49,733 votes (6.1%).