Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Dr. Wa Mutharika re-elected because of his good performance- RB

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President Rupiah Banda
President Rupiah Banda

President Rupiah Banda says the re-election of Malawi’s President, Bingu wa Mutharika in the country’s just ended presidential elections was an indication that Malawians were satisfied with his performance in the previous term of office.

President Mutharika was sworn in to lead Malawi for the second and final five year term of office after being declared winner of the May 19, general election by the Malawi Electoral Commission chairperson, Justice Anastasia Msosa .

In the first four years of Dr. Mutharika’s governance, the economy of Malawi grew by an average of 7.5 per cent per annum while in 2008, the economy grew by over 9 per cent.

“It is a great thing for the people of Malawi. Before we used to analyse Malawi by provinces but this time you have shown us that you are satisfied with the work of a particular president in all the regions in Malawi,” Mr Banda told local journalists in Blantyre yesterday.

He noted that the fading away of regionalism in the way people voted in the past was commendable.

Mr. Banda pointed out that this development was encouraging, adding that Zambia would learn a lot of lessons in terms of political and economic development from the Malawian government.

He further urged the people of Malawi to be strong because this was Zambia wish.

President Mutharika garnered a total of 2,730,630 votes against his closest rival, John Tembo who had polled 1,270,057 votes. This was out of the 93.25 per cent of the confirmed information from 3,634 polling stations out of the 3,897 stations across the country.

There are currently nearly six million registered voters in Malawi, a country lying on an area of 118,480 square kilometres and a population of over 13 million people.

And President Mutharika pledged in his acceptance and inaugural speech that he would embrace all Malawians, including opposition political parties, in governance in order to guarantee and foster social, economic and political development of Malawi.

He said amid applauses from thousands of people who gathered at the ceremony that dialogue and reconciliation among all Malawians, and unity of common purpose was an important factor that would help develop the economy of the country further.

He outlined his government’s development agenda and strategies, among them prioritizing agriculture development, increasing energy generation, improving road network and transportation, education and health sectors.

Yesterday, the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), the European Union and the African Union election observation missions said in their preliminary findings of the elections that the election was free and fair and reflected the will of the people of Malawi.

The European Union (EU) Election Observation Mission and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) election observer missions have also declared the election as free and fair, adding that they were held under a tranquil and peaceful environment.

Head of COMESA Election Observer Mission, Otema Musuka, said at a press briefing here today that the mission did not witness any occurrence that could have compromised the integrity of the votes cast.

“Looking at the country as a whole and taking into consideration the foregoing, the mission has come to the conclusion that the 2009 presidential and parliamentary elections for the Republic of Malawi took place in an environment of peace and tranquility,” Mr. Musuka said.

Mr. Musuka noted that the election took place in a transparent environment that was secure enough to guarantee the freedom of the vote and respect the will of voters.

“The mission, therefore, considers that the votes cast and declared thus far as a true reflection of the will of the people of Malawi in the 2009 presidential and parliamentary election,” he added.

He congratulated the people of Malawi for the peaceful election and a huge turn out to cast the votes, which he said was an important ingredient to the development of democracy.

EU Election Mission Chief Observer, Luisa Morgantini, said the elections were held in a manner where fundamental freedoms and rights of assembly, expression and movement were respected.

“The people of Malawi turned out to cast their ballots in high numbers demonstrating an awareness and commitment to an election which represents a step forward the consolidation of democracy,” she said.

28 COMMENTS

  1. When RB was elected president i dont remember any president from any country coming for his inauguration.

  2. Muluzi was the liability. This third term syndrome has been rejected! Mbeki was actually ejected before he could conclude the second term; shocking all those pushing for a controversial 3rd term

  3. morning # 1, uncle Bob also crossed the border when the counting was on. congrats to Malawians. Friends here say Mbingu is the equivalent of our late Mwanawasa

  4. Welcome back Mr.President.But next time you need to delegate to the VP,ni ya how.Mwantamanga manigi mudala.Comming to the real meat now.People in Malawi gave Bingu a second term because he has moved the country some steps infront koma inu Abwezani you are taking Zambia steps behind.You will never see a second term,lets bet.

  5. President Mutharika garnered a total of 2,730,630 votes against his closest rival, John Tembo who had polled 1,270,057 votes…..

    Surely no question of rigging, the gap is too too wide: difference of over 1.4M votes. He was definitely re-elected by a popular vote probably based on his performance!!

  6. RB will be rewarded with a Honourary Doctorate Degree by Malawian University for saying that. You heard here first.

  7. Congrats Bingu! Your election reflests the will of the people.Now my question is,Why were you so snappily inaugurated? Following Zambian footsteps ? Why not like Zuma?.Anyway,good luck in your second term,you have proved really to be a Dr of Economics .

  8. I do not care who is voted into office as long as peace prevails. As for development, the less said about it, the better.

  9. Malawians have passed the test ! Now it is Zambia’s turn in 2011.
    I wonder were RB will stand. I wish I could fast forward time.
    Sinifuna nakulanga / nifuna chabe kuvala menzo yanga to what RB will do until 2011.

  10. # 10 3RqU cheers Bro. So you mean Africans have to sacrifice development for peace?

    I believe there is not much left to hope for.

  11. Congrats ba president ( Mbingu )you desreve it. Am told you have transformed Malawi. But here in Zambia ba RB balibize kugula katengamalilo, we dont want to die now, we have no time for that. Sorry uncle this is your last term.

  12. Weldone malawians. Muluzi is a liability indeed to your country. Bravo Mbingu. Dont go for the 3rd tearm pipo will eject you like Mbeki or your very own Muluzi

  13. Congrats Mbingu wa Mutharika. Your re-election was based on your performance.

    Back home we are still struggling to find a platform on which to convince Zambians for a re-election in 2011. Our people have lost jobs because of the world financial crisis but they wont listen. We tried to import GMO maize to fight hunger but they refused it outright. Dora Siliya’s conundrum with Zamtel has not helped matters. Donors are threatening to withdraw their support in the health sector due to rampant abuse of their money. Our recent importation of hearses to expedite evacuation of the dead to Leopards Hill Cemetery has even made matters worse. Our people want ambulances not akatenga malilo. We are f….d up!

  14. #16 you’ve left me in stitches at Akatenga malilo! Anyway I would like to congratulate the Malawians on their big day.So is our Vera going to be there too?

  15. Bloggers, who is that mwenye that is always in RB’s entourage. At first I thought he was one of the IBs (Image Builders) but since there is not image to build, who is the nsamya ?

  16. Our Zambia police officer s look malnourished. Why? Do they get 3 meals. In all the pics, the president looks health and well kept, but the officer, they look emaciated.
    Congrats anyway, kuli ba Dr. Mutharika. Yes, of course i noticed substantial changes in malawi. heavy improvement of all major roads country wide. Also the airport is clean and well well organised. There is a sense of discipline in the way people conduct themselves (in government offices and pa market).For sure, there is some sense of economic direction with this man in power. Katwishi ifwe naba fyashi bensu. Shino ishinku ba befye aba fulwa fulwa. Ba lesasuka fye everyday. I do not know this. Shi shibe limbi kunkonta no chipelwa amano. God help us.

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