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Malawi opposition admits defeat Malawi opposition admits defeat
(10 minutes later)
Malawi opposition leader Bakili Muluzi has accepted that President Bingu wa Mutharika has won Tuesday's election.Malawi opposition leader Bakili Muluzi has accepted that President Bingu wa Mutharika has won Tuesday's election.
The United Democratic Front (UDF) leader, a fierce rival of the incumbent, congratulated the president in a statement. The UDF leader, a fierce rival of the incumbent, congratulated the president. Mr Muluzi is a former president who was barred from standing for a third term.
Mr Muluzi is a former president who was barred from standing for a third term.
His party was part of an opposition coalition led by Malawi Congress Party leader John Tembo, who has not admitted defeat but challenged partial results.His party was part of an opposition coalition led by Malawi Congress Party leader John Tembo, who has not admitted defeat but challenged partial results.
"The UDF party and its chairman wishes the president well as he governs the country in the next five years," UDF spokesman Hophmally Makande said in the statement. With 40% of votes counted, Mr Mutharika has a huge lead, official results show.
He has 1.3m votes against 0.5m for Mr Tembo.
"The United Democratic Front (UDF) party and its chairman wishes the president well as he governs the country in the next five years," UDF spokesman Hophmally Makande said in the statement.
However, poll observers said the president had enjoyed an unfair poll advantage, including a partisan state media.However, poll observers said the president had enjoyed an unfair poll advantage, including a partisan state media.
Mr Tembo complained on Wednesday of "irregularities" as he disputed the results of the vote count in his party's traditional stronghold of Central Province.Mr Tembo complained on Wednesday of "irregularities" as he disputed the results of the vote count in his party's traditional stronghold of Central Province.
The MCP said its election agents had been denied access to counting centres in its electoral heartland.The MCP said its election agents had been denied access to counting centres in its electoral heartland.