Malawian president takes early lead in vote count

LILONGWE (Reuters) - Malawian President Bingu wa Mutharika took a strong early lead on Wednesday in the vote count from the southern African country's presidential election.

He based his campaign for a second term on his record of turning Malawi into a net food exporter and delivering three years of growth above 7 percent in the country of 13 million where annual gross domestic product is only $313 (202 pounds) per capita.

But he faced an opposition challenge united behind long-time opposition leader John Tembo, who had the support of former President Bakili Muluzi, himself excluded from the contest.

The first results of Tuesday's presidential election from the central region, traditionally an opposition stronghold, showed wa Mutharika had 845,000 votes with 254,000 for Tembo.

"A strong showing by the incumbent in this region tells you a trend across the country and the possible outcome of the election," said a senior election official who asked for anonymity.

A handful of results from polling stations in the capital, Lilongwe, showed the president had an even bigger lead there. A parliamentary vote was also held on Tuesday.

Official results have been scheduled for midday (11 a.m. British time), but counting has been slow.

Observer missions from the European Union and the Commonwealth of mostly former British colonies described the voting as calm and without incident.

The election is a test of political stability in largely peaceful Malawi after a protracted power struggle between wa Mutharika and Muluzi prompted a failed impeachment bid and allegations of a coup plot, unnerving Western donors.