By Edwin Mauluka

President Lazarus Chakwera has conceded defeat in the September 16, 2025 general elections and has since congratulated former president Peter Mutharika of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) for winning the hearts of Malawians.

In a televised national address at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe, Chakwera said: ‘’I have done this because I have accepted the results of the presidential election that the Malawi Electoral Commission has already validated and released, just as I will accept the final result the commission is scheduled to announce at 2:00 PM.’’

Mutharika will become the seventh president of the Republic of Malawi. He ousted in 2020 after the High Court ordered a rerun after finding widespread irregularities in the 2019 elections won by Mutharika. Chakwera’s Malawi Congress Party and Saulos Chilima of UTM defeated Mutharika the redo election.

Mutharika’s return to power is widely attributed to the worsening economic conditions in the country: a high cost of living — inflation stands at 30% — persistent fuel and forex shortages among others.

‘’I also know that for the majority of you who voted this outcome is a reflection of your collective will to have a change of government and so it is only right that I concede defeat out of respect for your will as citizens and out of respect for the constitution,” said Chakwera who also applauded MEC for conducting credible and transparent elections.

On Tuesday, the High Court rejected an application by Chakwera and MCP to stop MEC from releasing the final results and declaring the winner, claiming there were many irregularities. However, in his address to the nation, Chakwera said he realized such irregularities could not significantly change the outcome.

Chakwera pledged commitment to a peaceful transition of power and instructed his team to work with the incoming president and provide all the necessary support.

Official results from 24 councils out of 36 show Mutharika leading with 2,022,819 votes while Chakwera is behind with 732,575.