Blantyre, Malawi, May 21, SPA --As Malawi's President Bingu wa Mutharika stretched ahead in the count of votes from Tuesday's national elections, one opposition leader, the president's arch-rival Bakili Muluzi, conceded defeat, according to dpa. With votes from over a third of all 3,897 polling stationscounted, Mutharika, the president since 2004, had 1,280,157 votes,against 484,762 for main opposition leader John Tembo. The incumbent's strong lead prompted some of his rivals to alreadydeclare Mutharika and his Democratic Progressive Party (DPP)victorious, before the final results were announced. Two-term former president Muluzi did not run for president. He wasbarred from seeking a third term. But his United Democratic Front formed a coalition with Tembo'sMalawi Congress Party to oppose Mutharika's ruling DemocraticProgressive Party in the general election. In that vote, the president's party was also well ahead. In a radio address to the nation, Muluzi said he had phonedMutharika to congratulate him. "As a former president of this country I have a duty to beexemplary. For the sake of peace we have to forget the past and moveforward," he said. Two of the seven presidential candidates have already concededdefeat. The state broadcaster reported earlier that, with results from 153constituencies counted, the DPP had won 75 seats out of the 193 upfor grabs. Muluzi's concession of defeat contrasted with Tembo's reaction toMutharika's performance. On Wednesday, Tembo cried foul andthreatened not to recognize the outcome if Mutharika won. He alleged his party agents were barred from watching the count insome party strongholds that were subsequently won by the DPP and thatballot boxes in some places were not sealed. The electoral commissionsaid it was investigating the complaints.--SPA www.spa.gov.sa/666725