Tallies of unofficial results by national media houses shows that former president Peter Mutharika has won the elections[/caption]
Chirwa has stated on his Facebook that based on the historical polling data presented, Mutharika is likely to be the outright winner.
"'Whenever the northern and southern provinces converge on a candidate or issue, the combined result has consistently exceeded the 50% threshold. Specifically, it has varied between 52% and 66%. It approaches the upper limit if there is some penetration into the south, particularly in urban areas, and nears the lower limit if the northern vote is not decisively won. For similar reasons, '
"'On this occasion, it was clear that the presidential election would hinge on who secures the northern vote. Now we understand that it has gone to Mutharika... Therefore, this reality (winning the northern vote) alone propels Mutharika beyond the 50% pass mark,' Chirwa has emphasized."
Chirwa further explains that Chakwera's defeat is a result of his failure to protect his stronghold (the center) and to capture the northern vote, which would have easily propelled him over the threshold.
According to Chirwa, Chakwera’s loss is a result his failure to defend his turf (the central province) and win the northern province vote, which would have easily taken him over the bar.
While opposition supporters on Sunday night took it to the streets to celebrate Mutharika victory based on unofficial results, analysts allege that Chakwera’s party is trying hard to discredit the polls results by citing isolating cases of irregularities; and calling for audit of the results.
General
Pressure mounts on Malawi leader Lazarus Chakwera to concede defeat
Unofficial Results on Luntha Television Dashboard as at 10.00gmt Peter Mutharika: 2,529,771 votes (58.1%) Lazarus Chakwera: 1,391,724 votes (32%) ...
Tallies of unofficial results by national media houses shows that former president Peter Mutharika has won the elections[/caption]
Chirwa has stated on his Facebook that based on the historical polling data presented, Mutharika is likely to be the outright winner.
"'Whenever the northern and southern provinces converge on a candidate or issue, the combined result has consistently exceeded the 50% threshold. Specifically, it has varied between 52% and 66%. It approaches the upper limit if there is some penetration into the south, particularly in urban areas, and nears the lower limit if the northern vote is not decisively won. For similar reasons, '
"'On this occasion, it was clear that the presidential election would hinge on who secures the northern vote. Now we understand that it has gone to Mutharika... Therefore, this reality (winning the northern vote) alone propels Mutharika beyond the 50% pass mark,' Chirwa has emphasized."
Chirwa further explains that Chakwera's defeat is a result of his failure to protect his stronghold (the center) and to capture the northern vote, which would have easily propelled him over the threshold.
According to Chirwa, Chakwera’s loss is a result his failure to defend his turf (the central province) and win the northern province vote, which would have easily taken him over the bar.
While opposition supporters on Sunday night took it to the streets to celebrate Mutharika victory based on unofficial results, analysts allege that Chakwera’s party is trying hard to discredit the polls results by citing isolating cases of irregularities; and calling for audit of the results.