Barely a day after conceding defeat in the 16 September presidential election, President Lazarus Chakwera and the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) have withdrawn the election case challenging results of the poll.

MCP publicity secretary Jessie Kabwila confirmed the case withdrawal in an interview with Zodiak Online.

She said the decision to withdraw came about following the concession of defeat by their leader.

Said Kabwila: “We have withdrawn the case because we want Malawians to know that the concession of defeat by our leader Lazarus McCathy Chakwera and his subsequent congratulatory message to President-elect Mutharika is in good faith.”

Chakwera and MCP applied for judicial review on presidential election results, after their attempt to stop the results announcement was dismissed by the court. On Tuesday 23 September, the High Court granted Chakwera and MCP permission to start judicial review proceedings on the results.

Meanwhile different stakeholders have hailed Chakwera and MCP’s decision describing it as a profound act of statesmanship.

Spokesperson for the Political Science Association Mavuto Bamusi said the decision will pave the way for smooth power transfer.

“What Chakwera and MCP have done is commendable. This simply means that Chakwera has indeed conceded defeat and it will facilitate smooth power transition,” said Bamusi. 

On his part, Chairperson for the Civil Society Elections Integrity Forum (CSEIF) Benedicto Kondowe said the move by Chakwera and MCP aligns with their concession and demonstrates that they have respect for the will of the people.

Chakwera lost the election by 33% to Peter Mutharika who polled 56.8 % in the tightly contested poll which had 17 presidential candidates.