Lilongwe: Outgoing Malawi President Lazarus Chakwera has commended the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) for organising peaceful, transparent, and credible elections, describing the process as a shining example of democracy. In his final address on Wednesday in the capital Lilongwe, Chakwera praised MEC chairperson Justice Annabel Mtalimanja and her team for steering the complex electoral process with professionalism and integrity.

According to Namibia Press Agency, Chakwera acknowledged the collective effort required to run the elections smoothly, attributing the success to an ecosystem of supportive commissioners, electoral staff, and stakeholders. He expressed gratitude to all involved for contributing to the success of the general elections and enhancing Malawi's democratic reputation on the global stage.

Turning to the 16 September 2025 election results, Chakwera on Wednesday conceded defeat to his main rival, Prof Arthur Peter Mutharika of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). The 85-year-old Mutharika won the presidential elections with 56.8 per cent of the vote, having previously ruled the southeastern African nation from 2014 to 2020. Chakwera, who has been president since 2024, received 33 per cent of the vote.

Chakwera stated he had called Professor Mutharika directly to congratulate him on his historic victory and to wish him well in his upcoming tenure, emphasizing his acceptance of both the validated and final results. The outgoing leader expressed gratitude to his supporters while acknowledging that the majority of Malawians had voted for change. He pledged a peaceful transfer of power, instructing his staff to provide support to the incoming administration to ensure a smooth transition.

Furthermore, Chakwera urged Malawians to unite behind the new leadership, stating that Professor Mutharika's success in leading the nation will depend on unity among the people. He emphasized the importance of collaboration, regardless of political alignment, to work towards making Malawi a better place.