Malawi Parties Prematurely Claim Election Victory Amid Result Delays

Malawi's 2025 general elections have sparked political tension as the ruling Malawi Congress Party (MCP) and opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) both prematurely declared victory ahead of official results from the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC). The MCP, led by President Lazarus Chakwera, expressed confidence in an emphatic win while urging supporters to maintain peace and dignity, emphasizing patience for MEC's official announcement. Conversely, the DPP, with spokesperson Shadric Namalomba, declared their candidate Peter Mutharika the clear choice, urging Chakwera to concede and criticizing the MCP's claims as denial of reality. The MEC has called for calm, reaffirming its sole authority to declare winners and highlighting ongoing efforts to process results despite logistical challenges. Regional observers praised the elections as peaceful and largely transparent, noting high professionalism and voter turnout, but recommended reforms to improve inclusivity, accessibility, and oversight of political financing. Meanwhile, civil society groups like Concerned Citizens of Malawi echoed calls for restraint to avoid unrest, urging all parties to respect the electoral process and await certified results.