Like Jonathan, Malawi’s Chakwera concedes election defeat before final tally

Malawi President Lazarus Chakwera has conceded defeat to Peter Mutharika, his opponent in the nation’s presidential election.

Chakwera accepted defeat on Wednesday during a national broadcast, and also called Mutharika.

“It is only right that I concede defeat out of respect for your will as citizens and out of respect for the constitution,” Chakwera said.

Chakwera secured more than 700,000 votes in the 24 of the 36 districts announced, while Mutharika garnered 2,000,000.

The national election commission has yet to release results from the remaining 12 districts.

Mutharika, 85, is the country’s former president who ruled the country from May 2014 to June 2020.

GOODLUCK JONATHAN CONCEDED ELECTION DEFEAT IN 2015

In 2015, then-President Goodluck Jonathan called Muhammadu Buhari, the opposition candidate at the time, to concede defeat ahead of the final tally released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Jonathan’s decision was widely praised for helping to ease tensions and prevent unrest in the country.