 Peter Mutharika (centre) is the brother of former President Bingu wa Mutharika, who died two years ago  |
| Mrs Banda tried to annul a vote she said was marred by rigging, but was overruled by the High Court |
Opposition candidate Peter Mutharika has been declared the winner of Malawi's disputed presidential election according to reports From BBC
The leader of the Democratic Progressive Party obtained 36.4% of the vote, the electoral commission announced.
A protester died earlier after police dispersed an angry crowd demanding a recount of last week's ballot.
Outgoing president Joyce Banda has alleged the vote was rigged.
'Law is clear'
The Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) had asked for a 30-day extension to declare the results so that a recount could be carried out.
However, the High Court refused to delay the release of results and ordered the commission to make its announcement on Friday.
"The law is clear, there is no extension," judge Kenyatta Nyirenda said.
 |
 |
The elections were chaotic and several irregularities were reported
Former preacher Lazarus Chakwera came second with 27.8% of the vote. He represented the Malawi Congress Party, which governed from independence in 1964 until the first multi-party poll in 1994.
Mrs Banda, who came to power after the death of Bingu wa Mutharika two years ago, was third with 20.2% of the vote.
Her administration had been hit by a corruption scandal dubbed "cashgate", which led donors to cut aid.
Malawi is one the poorest nations in the world and is heavily dependent on aid, which provides 40% of the country's budget.
No comments:
Post a Comment