Malawian President Peter Mutharika walks at a polling station in Thyolo district, Malawi, May 21, 2019. Mutharika on Tuesday expressed happiness with the peaceful way the elections process has so far gone. (Xinhua/Peng Lijun)
LILONGWE, May 21 (Xinhua) -- Malawian President Peter Mutharika on Tuesday expressed happiness with the peaceful way the elections process has so far gone.
Mutharika, who arrived around 10:00 a.m. to cast his vote at Goliath Polling Station in Thyolo district, about 45 km south of Blantyre, said reports received from different parts of the country indicate that the process has been peaceful.
Mutharika, who was accompanied by his wife to cast his vote, hoped that the situation will remain peaceful.
He further encouraged voters to exercise their rights to vote for candidates of their choice and turn up at different polling stations, adding that no one should be intimidated or stopped from voting.
Mutharika, 78, is seeking his second term in office but he faces stiff competition from Saulos Chilima of the United Transformation Movement and Lazarus Chakwera of the Malawi Congress Party.
Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) said on Tuesday that the voting process has so far progressed well with no disturbances.
Justice Jane Ansah, chairperson of MEC, said most of the 5,002 polling stations around the country opened within the stipulated time of 06:00 a.m. except for a few and that those that opened late will be given some extra time to compensate for lost time.
The MEC said elections results will be announced within eight days and that the electoral body would not be pressurized to announce the results as it wants to ensure a thorough job.
