NAIROBI, Kenya, Jun 28 – Orange Democratic Movement Party Leader Raila Odinga has congratulated Malawian opposition leader Lazarus Chakwera following his election as President, in a historic presidential election rerun.
Odinga, who managed to successfully petition the annulment of a presidential election in 2017, marking the first annulment in the continent, said Chakwera’s rerun win is a symbol of hope for 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,” said Odinga.
He also congratulated the people of Malawi for a peaceful poll and hailed outgoing President Peter Mutharika “for creating a peaceful and orderly transfer of power.”
Malawi‘s Electoral Commission said Chakwera won 58.57 per cent of the vote, following a rerun after Malawi’s constitutional court annulled Mutharika’s win in February citing vote tampering.
Malawi became the second African nation to annul a presidential election over irregularities, after Kenya in 2017.
In a brief statement, Chakwera, the leader of the Malawi Congress Party (MCP), thanked “lord Jesus” for his victory.
Chakwera, 65, a former evangelical preacher, is expected to be sworn in on Sunday, June 28.
