Mutharika Sworn In As New President of Malawi

Mutharika Sworn In As New President of Malawi

Peter Mutharika has taken oath as the new president of Malawi. The 74 year old political leader of the Democratic Progressive Party was sworn at the commercial capital Blantyre. He announced in a brief address that his main task is now to unite the people of Malawi following electoral disputes.

He also extended an invitation to his opposition to help assist in the process. The election officials declared Mutharika as the winner of the disputed presidential election after incumbent President Joyce Banda was declared as having lost. The Malawi Electoral Commission made this announcement after protests had occurred in the southern town of Mangochi demanding a vote recount.

As per the final tally, Mutharika won with just 36 percent of the vote. The Malawi Congress candidate Lazrous Chakwera had secured about 29% of the votes. President Banda finished third with about 20 percent of the total votes. Mutharika is the brother of late president Bingu wa Mutharika. Banda had become the president following the latter's death.

The May 20 election and votes were plagued with several problems. Many polling stations opened late and there were several inaccuracies on the ballots. The irregularities also prompted the election officials to increase the voting to a second and even a third day in some areas.

Banda's party declared the elections to be fraudulent and they levelled charges of ballot rigging and people placing more than one vote. They ordered elections following 90 days. However, the Malawi High Court overruled this following complaints from the opposition.

While Banda conceded defeat and congratulated Mutharika for his victory,media reports quote her as saying she was happy while leaving the office. Banda was the first female president of Malawi. She came to power in the year 2012.

Election Commission chief Maxon Mbendara declared Mutharika the president elect after the voting last week. Banda described the elections as tense but spoke of the need for a peaceful and calm nation as they head into the next 50 years of Malawi's future.

Mutharika who is a law professor and ex-cabinet minister has faced a trial which is still pending. But, according to analysts, the case is likely to be set aside as Malawian Presidents are immune from prosecution as long as they are in office. The elections in this small nation of South Africa have been plagued with one controversy over another. Many polling stations opened as late as 10 hours. Some voting stations recorded more votes than the number of registered voters for that area.

Malawi remains dependent on agriculture and international aid to survive. Poverty is rampant in this South African nation. After Banda had taken over office, the kwacha currency of Malawi was devalued by around 50%. there was an easing of foreign exchange restrictions which made it easy to restore the IMF credit line. With a new president in charge, perhaps Malawi's prospects might improve. A newly elected leader can bring about change, but controversies are nothing new when it comes to politics.