Malawi’s President Lazarus Chakwera, 70 on Wednesday conceded defeat in the country’s presidential election after official results released so far showed ex-president Peter Mutharika, 85 has built a commanding lead over him.
“It is only right that I concede defeat out of respect for your will as citizens and out of respect for the constitution,” Chakwera said in an address to the nation.
Malawi’s electoral commission is due to release the presidential election result at a briefing starting around 1200 GMT.
Malawi’s Presidential Elections
Malawi held its presidential election on September 16, 2025, alongside parliamentary and local polls, in a contest that drew 17 candidates but was largely seen as a two-way race between incumbent Lazarus Chakwera and former president Peter Mutharika.
Private broadcasters such as Times Television have projected Mutharika who lost power in 2020 as the winner of the elections with more than 56% of the vote.