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Malawian President Mutharika denies opposition claims of vote rigging

The newly re-elected Malawian President Peter Mutharika, Sunday took a swipe at the opposition saying he did not rig the May 21 presidential election and that the Malawians were the ones who elected him.

Mutharika said this in the commercial city of Blantyre at his first political rally since he was sworn in and inaugurated on May 27 and May 31, respectively.

The Malawian president made the remarks in response to opposition leaders’ claim that the election was rigged to favour Mutharika.

“It’s people who elected me,” said Mutharika. “I don’t know how to rig an election; I’m not a computer expert – I’m a law expert.”

Mutharika accused the opposition of rigging his votes in the central region where the Malawian leader performed poorly, adding that the matter was being investigated.

He further accused Malawi Congress Party (MCP) leader, Lazarus Chakwera, of inciting violence, alleging that the opposition party followers were destroying infrastructure in their protests against the presidential results.

“I am trying to build the nation and the opposition supporters are destroying roads and schools: I want to say it here that I’ll never repair those roads and schools – let Chakwera repair them!” retorted Mutharika.

Mutharika further said he would release his new 20-member cabinet before the opening of Parliament on June 21, adding that the new cabinet would be a good representative of all sectors, regions and gender.

The Malawian president concluded his address by extending an invitation to all leaders of opposition parties to join him in building the nation.

Meanwhile, two opposition leaders, Chakwera and Saulos Chilima (United Transformation Movement – UTM) have separately petitioned the high court to nullify the May 21 presidential results and let there be a rerun or vote recount.

Source: GNA

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