Malawian president Lazarus Chakwera concedes defeat

Outgoing Malawian President Lazarus Chakwera./SCREENGRAB

Malawian President Lazarus Chakwera has conceded defeat and congratulated his successor and predecessor, Arthur Peter Mutharika.

President Chakwera conceded defeat to Mutharika in Malawi's presidential election held on September 16, 2025, during a televised address from Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe on September 24.

“From those official results that [MEC announced as of two nights ago], it was clear that my main rival, His Excellency Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika, had already secured an insurmountable lead and is the presumptive winner of the presidential election,” Chakwera said.

"It is only right that I concede defeat out of respect for your will as citizens and out of respect for the constitution."

Mutharika, the very opponent he unseated five years ago.

Partial tallies showed Mutharika securing 66.7% of votes from 24 of 36 councils, surpassing the 50%+1 threshold and avoiding a run-off, while Chakwera trailed at 24%.

The country’s electoral commission is due to announce the official results later today.