Mutharika Kicks Out Chakwera, Returns to State House

The Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) has yesternight declared Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) as the winner of this year’s presidential election, officially making him the country’s 7th Head of State.

The announcement was made by MEC Chairperson, Justice Anabel Ntalimanja, who declared Mutharika victorious after securing 3,035,249 votes, defeating outgoing president Dr. Lazarus Chakwera of the Malawi Congress Party (MCP), who garnered 1,765,170 votes.

Mutharika, who was voted out of office in 2020 following the rise of the Tonse Alliance under Chakwera and Late Saulos Chilima, has now staged a political comeback to reclaim the presidency.

Across the country, jubilant DPP supporters took to the streets late into the night, waving party flags and donning the party’s trademark blue attire to celebrate the victory. Cities, towns, and rural communities were filled with song and dance as supporters marked the return of Mutharika to State House.

In Phalombe District, some supporters went further by storming a Health Centre at Kambona, where they reportedly removed the inscription “Rev. John Chilembwe Hospital” from the entrance gate, demanding the facility revert to its previous name, Phalombe District Hospital  a name they say was changed during Chakwera’s administration.

Mutharika is expected to be sworn in as President in the coming days.