Malawi opposition leader Lazarus Chakwera has emerged as the winner in the highly contested Tuesday fresh presidential election, beating incumbent president Peter Mutharika.

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Chakwera won with 58 percent of the votes.

Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) chairperson Chifundo Kachale made the declaration Saturday night after the full and thorough scrutiny of all the counted votes from 28 districts comprising 193 constituencies and 5,002 polling centers.

Chakwera assumes the country's presidency with Malawi vice president and leader for the United Transformation Movement (UTM), Saulos Chilima, as his vice president following the alliance which the two leaders entered into with seven other political parties.