This archive report was first published on 28 June 2020.
Malawi's Lazarus Chakwera Declared Winner of Rerun Election ¶
Malawi's opposition leader Lazarus Chakwera has been declared the winner of the country's rerun election, held on June 23, 2020. Chakwera, who leads the Malawi Congress Party (MCP), garnered 58.57% of votes cast in the election.
Chakwera's victory comes after a period of political turmoil and clashes between opposition supporters and police, following the court's decision in February 2020 to annul the May 2019 General Election due to poll malpractices.
Malawi became the second country in Africa to revoke a presidential election after Kenya in 2017, when opposition leader Raila Odinga challenged Uhuru Kenyatta's win.
Kenya's opposition leader Raila Odinga congratulated the 'people of Malawi for the peaceful poll' and hailed the outgoing President Peter Mutharika for creating a peaceful environment.
Chakwera, 65, is expected to be sworn in on Sunday, June 28, 2020. In a brief statement, Chakwera thanked 'Lord Jesus' for his victory.
Malawi's rerun election was closely watched beyond the country's borders, and is seen as a symbol of hope for those who support democracy in Africa and around the world.
