By Burnett Munthali
Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) Chairperson, Justice Annabel Mtalimanja, has declared Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) the winner of the 2025 presidential election with 3,352,439 votes, representing 56.8 percent.
Announcing the results at the National Tally Centre in Lilongwe on Wednesday evening, Justice Mtalimanja said the Commission had resolved all queries from political parties before the final declaration, stressing that credibility and transparency guided every stage of the electoral process.
“I, Justice Annabel Mtalimanja, with the powers vested in me, now pronounce Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika and Jane Ansah as the duly elected President and Vice President of the Republic of Malawi with 3,352,439 votes, representing 56.8 percent,” she declared.
Justice Mtalimanja congratulated Mutharika on his victory and commended Malawians for turning out in large numbers to vote on September 16, saying their participation demonstrated the nation’s commitment to strengthening democracy and exercising constitutional rights.
Before declaring the presidential winner, MEC released results from the remaining 12 councils, including Kasungu, Mchinji, and Machinga districts, which completed the official tally and cleared the way for the final announcement.
The final results placed Lazarus Chakwera of the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) second with 1,765,170 votes.
Dalitso Kabambe of the United Transformation Movement (UTM) came third with 211,430 votes, while Atupele Muluzi of the United Democratic Front (UDF) followed with 102,744 votes.
Other contestants included Joyce Banda of the People’s Party with 86,106 votes, Akwame Bandawe of the AAA with 40,052 votes, Kamuzu Chibambo of PETRA with 17,274 votes, and Michael Usi of Odya Zake with 16,922 votes.
Independent candidates also participated in the race, including Adil Chilungo with 8,462 votes, Felix Chipojola with 8,638 votes, Phunziro Mvula with 9,378 votes, Milward Tobias with 2,086 votes, Smart Swira with 1,848 votes, and Jordan Sauti of the Patriotic Citizens Party with 2,196 votes.
Additional results showed Frank Mwenefumbo of the National Democratic Party with 5,354 votes and Kondwani Nankhumwa of the People’s Democratic Party with 12,251 votes.
This brought the total number of presidential contenders in the 2025 election to 17, making it one of the most competitive races in Malawi’s democratic history.
The declaration ceremony was attended by senior officials from the Malawi Defence Force, the Malawi Police Service, the Malawi Prison Service, and the Immigration Department, alongside political party representatives, civil society leaders, and members of the diplomatic community.
The announcement marked the end of weeks of anticipation and speculation, officially ushering Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika and Dr. Jane Ansah into the highest offices in the land.
