Mutharika denies rigging the May 21 polls

President Arthur Peter Mutharika has said the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) did not rig the May 21 Tripartite Elections and that the rigging claims by opposition parties are a move to discredit his triumph.

Mutharika made the remarks Sunday during a DPP victory rally at Njamba Freedom Park in Blantyre.

“It is sad to learn that Malawi Congress Party (MCP) President Lazarus Chakwera and UTM President Saulos Chilima are busy saying that DPP rigged the elections, trying to disgrace the party to the outside world.
“DPP never rigged the elections. It came out victorious because the party sold well its manifesto to all people across the country; hence, emerging the winner in the just ended polls which Malawi went through,” he said.

Mutharika also condemned Chakwera for instigating violence in the country, saying the malpractice has led to destruction of national infrastructure like a newly built road and secondary school in Lilongwe.

“I am trying to build good roads and secondary schools across the country but some misguided people are destroying such facilities.  This is foolishness; I will never repair the road and rebuild the school,” he said.
Mutharika, therefore, called for unity of purpose among the people from different political persuasions to take the nation to prosperity.
 “I will continue implementing developmental programmes in this country and I appeal to everyone else to join me to move the nation to prosperity,” he said.

Speaking earlier, Senior Chief Kapeni congratulated Mutharika for his re-election to govern the country in the next five years.
Kapeni expressed optimism that Mutharika’s victory was a sign of continuation of development programmes such as road infrastructure and community technical colleges, among others.

“In addition, I believe that the Public Works Programme and the Social Cash Transfer scheme will continue to uplift the livelihoods of less privileged people,” Kapeni said. 

Speaking at the same rally, DPP Vice President for the South, Kondwani Nankhumwa, announced plans for the party to dedicate a day for prayers and fasting to thank God for its victory.

Mutharika amassed 1, 940, 709 votes representing 38.57 percent of the votes cast against Chakwera’s 1, 781, 740 votes representing 35.41 percent.

Chilima emerged third with 1, 081,369 votes representing 20.24 percent of the total votes cast.