Peter Mutharika Heads For 2nd Term In Malawi Elections

President Peter Mutharika, Malawi’s incumbent is leading by 40% in this week’s election after 75% of the votes were counted. This puts him on track for a second term.

Lazarus Chakwera of the opposition Malawi Congress Party (MCP), Mutharika’s main challenger followed with 35% of the vote. Meanwhile, Mutharika’s estranged deputy, Saulos Chilima received 18% in Tuesday’s polls.

There were allegations recently by Chilima that Mutharika had hired exiled former Zimbabwean police chief commissioner, Augustine Chihuri to manipulate the election. The government of Malawi has since dismissed the allegations as false. This was reiterated by former Zimbabwean Cabinet Minister, Jonathan Moyo who said Chihuri was not in Malawi.