Mutharika swears in president after controversial elections

The swearing in ceremony for the president elect, Peter Mutharika is expected to be held this afternoon in Blantyre.

Mutharika’s swearing in ceremony is expected to take place at Civic offices but it might be changed to Kamuzu Stadium in the commercial city of Blantyre according to some government officials.

“The venue might change but as of now, the most likely place for the swearing in ceremony is civic offices,” said the source.

The swearing in ceremony follows a successful vacation of a court injunction obtained by the opposition party Malawi Congress Party (MCP) restraining the Malawi electoral commission (MEC) from announcing the results until the pollster recounted some votes in 10 district.

MEC announced Mutharika’s narrow victory following the court lifted the injunction on Monday.

“I hereby declare Arthur Peter Mutharika as the winner of presidential election held on May 21,” Jane Ansah Chairperson of MEC said.

Mutharika of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has been narrowly elected to a second term of office with 38.5% of the vote cast on May 21.