Malawi president declared poll winner

Malawi’s President Bingu wa Mutharika, a former World Bank official credited with bringing economic gains to the southern African nation of 12 million, today was declared the winner of a national election.

With 93.25% of the votes counted, Electoral Commission chairwoman and Supreme Court judge Anastasia Msosa declared the winner.

Malawians went to the polls on Tuesday to chose between re-electing Mr Mutharika or replacing him with a candidate backed by his predecessor – the latest round in a five-year feud that has triggered rioting, an impeachment effort and parliamentary paralysis.

Mr Mutharika won 2,730,630 of the votes counted, or 66%, compared to the 31%, or 1,270,057 votes, cast in favour of veteran opposition leader John Tembo.

Yesterday, Mr Tembo alleged voting had been rigged. Election officials said they were investigating his claims.

Mr Mutharika is to be sworn in at 10am today, government officials said.

Zimbabwe’s President Robert Mugabe was among the heads of state who had begun arriving in the capital ahead of the ceremony.

Soon after the announcement of the 75-year-old Mr Mutharika’s re-election more than 100 supporters clad in the blue colour of his Democratic Progressive Party erupted into a spontaneous cheer and broke into song and dance in the streets.