By Edwin Mauluka
The High Court in Malawi on Tuesday dismissed an application by the ruling Malawi Congress Party (MCP) and its presidential candidate, incumbent Lazarus Chakwera, which sought to block the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) from declaring the winner of the September 16, 2025 general elections.
MCP had argued that MEC failed to adequately address concerns about the conduct of the elections.
“Application for leave to apply for judicial review is granted,” said Justice Howard Pemba. “However, an order restraining the respondent from declaring or publishing final presidential results is not granted.”
The ruling effectively gives MEC the go-ahead to declare the results and announce a winner, after which aggrieved parties will have seven days to contest the outcome in court.
On Tuesday, MEC Director of Communication Sangwani Mwafulirwa said the Commission would not hold its nightly update as expected, but instead planned to announce the final results on Wednesday afternoon.
“It is better that the Commission work throughout the night,” Mwafulirwa said. “The Commission has not been served with any injunction, and today’s court ruling does not affect our determination of results.”
Chakwera’s predecessor, Peter Mutharika of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), entered the final day of tallying with a commanding 72% lead from 24 councils already announced. Analysts said unofficial results from the remaining 12 councils were unlikely to change the outcome.
