Malawi opposition leader rejects Mutharika's re-election

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The leader of Malawi's opposition Malawi Congress Party (MCP) on Friday rejected the results of the May 21 presidential election as rigged.

According to Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC), MCP leader Lazarus Chakwera, got 35 percent of votes cast, second after incumbent president Peter Mutharika's 38 percent.

Chakwera told a press briefing in the capital, Lilongwe, that he is petitioning the country's high court to nullify the results, which he described as "daylight robbery."

Chakwera said he had considered applying to the court to stop Mutharika's swearing-in and inauguration ceremonies but later decided not to.

He said he realized that the move would not be in the best interest of the country as the protracted absence of a president and cabinet would disturb the state's service provision and cause millions of innocent Malawians to suffer.

Chakwera described Malawi police's alleged attacks on MCP supporters at the parties headquarters in the capital as "lawless acts of a mafia state" aimed at discouraging the opposition from seeking justice.

Mutharika, who was sworn in the country's commercial hub of Blantyre, accused the opposition of perpetrating violence in the country following the May 21 elections, warning that he would not tolerate any acts of violence that might lead to bloodshed.

"Whether you voted for us or not, I'm your president; let us all unite to move forward together," Mutharika said in his inaugural address. "We cannot build this country with violence and terror."

There have been acts of violence reported in the capital, Lilongwe, Chakwera's strongest base, amid protests against the election results.