This archive report was first published on 28 June 2020.
On June 28, 2020, a historic presidential election rerun in Malawi saw opposition leader Lazarus Chakwera elected as President, a victory that has been hailed as a symbol of hope for democracy in Africa and around the world.
Orange Democratic Movement Party Leader Raila Odinga, who successfully petitioned the annulment of a presidential election in Kenya in 2017, congratulated Chakwera on his win, saying it was a testament to the power of democracy.
"The election was followed keenly beyond Malawi and is a symbol of hope for those who support democracy in Africa and around the world," Odinga said.
Chakwera won 58.57 per cent of the vote in the rerun election, following a court decision to annul the original election result due to vote tampering. Malawi became the second African nation to annul a presidential election over irregularities, after Kenya in 2017.
Chakwera, the leader of the Malawi Congress Party (MCP), thanked "lord Jesus" for his victory and is expected to be sworn in on Sunday, June 28.
Outgoing President Peter Mutharika was praised by Odinga for creating a peaceful and orderly transfer of power.
