Mutharika's commanding lead earlier in the counting process prompted his predecessor-turned-rival Bakili Muluzi to congratulate him in a phone call, local media reported.

CNN: Malawi's Mutharika wins second term

During her news conference, Banda, along with former President Bakili Muluzi, called on Malawians to adhere to the constitution regarding the issue of succession.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS

And that is what Malawi's president, Bakili Muluzi, did last week.

ECONOMIST: Malawi and its limousines | The

South African President Thabo Mbeki, Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo and Malawi President Bakili Muluzi held talks aimed at resolving the crisis with President Mugabe and opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai.

BBC: Straw: Zimbabwe tour goes ahead

Last month, Malawi's President Bakili Muluzi directed the country's police to arrest prostitutes found loitering on street corners and their clients in an effort to slow down the spread of HIV and Aids.

BBC: Funeral of Aids patient in Zambia

He disappeared from public view for a while but later resurfaced as a surprise presidential candidate for the UDF after President Bakili Muluzi failed in his bid to be allowed a third term.

BBC: Bingu wa Mutharika (back) and Bakili Muluzi (front)

Brown Mpinganjira was a founding member of President Bakili Muluzi's ruling party, but formed his own party, the National Democratic Alliance, partly to oppose the president's efforts to win a third term in office.

ECONOMIST: The war continues

An avid football lover, Muluzi sponsors Bakili Bullets, the country's top football club.

BBC: SPORT | Football | African | Malawi's FA get presidential threat