“I have done this because I accept the results of the presidential election that the Malawi Electoral Commission has already validated and released,” President Chakwera declared.
LILONGWE, Malawi, Wednesday, September, 24th – In a dignified and definitive address to the nation, President Dr Lazarus Chakwera has formally conceded defeat in the presidential election, congratulating his main rival, Prof Peter Mutharika, as the winner and President-Elect.
Speaking from Kamuzu Palace, President Chakwera stated that based on the validated results from the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC), it was clear Prof Mutharika of the Democratic Progressive Party had secured an “insurmountable lead.”
Dr Mutharika revealed he had personally called Prof Mutharika to congratulate him on his “historic victory” and wish him well as the incoming seventh President of Malawi.
“I have done this because I accept the results of the presidential election that the Malawi Electoral Commission has already validated and released,” President Chakwera declared, affirming that he would also accept the final result scheduled for announcement later today.
Acknowledging the disappointment of his supporters, the President expressed eternal gratitude for their trust and support.
However, he framed the outcome as a reflection of the collective will of the majority of Malawians who desired a change of government.
Seamless Transition of Power
“It is only right that I concede defeat out of respect for your will as citizens and out of respect for the Constitution,” he stated as his speech centred on a commitment to a smooth and peaceful transition of power.
President Chakwera announced he has already instructed his team to facilitate a seamless process, rendering all necessary support to the incoming administration to safeguard the nation’s peace, public services, and institutions.
He has also issued directives for all State Residences to be prepared in good order for the President-Elect.
While wholeheartedly praising the MEC and its Chair Justice Annabel Mtalimanja in particular for a “meticulous and outstanding job,” President Chakwera did address the issue of electoral irregularities.
He acknowledged that his party and others had raised concerns, and that the MEC itself had quarantined results from some districts due to anomalies.
He likened the situation to a sports match where foul play occurs but does not necessarily invalidate the final score.
Crucially, he accepted the direction of the High Court, which ruled that the MEC should address these matters in its final briefing, rather than before announcing the result. He expressed hope that the Commission would execute this second responsibility providing a full, transparent account of the irregularities and how they were resolved with the same excellence it managed the election.
Call for National Unity
Looking ahead, President Chakwera issued a powerful call for national unity. He urged all Malawians, regardless of political affiliation or how they voted, to rally behind the incoming President.
“Prof Mutharika’s success in leading our nation towards prosperity will depend on all of us standing as one people in pursuit of our nation’s development,” he said.
He prayed that all citizens would remain active in taking the nation’s development and democracy forward, committing himself to be part of that collective effort.
To his party members, he promised further direction on the transition of leadership in the coming months to “rebuild our platform for success in the future.”
“What matters now is for all of us as Malawians to work together as one nation to make Malawi better, because that’s how we will all be winners in the end,” urged President Chakwera.
