Accra, May 26, GNA - Former President John Agyekum Kufuor arrived home on Monday from Lilongwe, Malawi, where he led a 10-man team from the Commonwealth to observe Malawi's presidential and parliamentary elections.

A statement signed by Mr Frank Agyekum, the Spokesperson of the former President, said Mr Kufuor, described the elections won by incumbent President Bingu wa Mutharika as "free and fair" and commended Malawians for their orderly conduct which ensured the smooth run of the polls.

In the run-up to the elections, the African Union requested former President Kufuor to lead a delegation to study the political situation because of heightening tension between the parties.

"The elections passed off satisfactorily and we are making our report to the head of the Commonwealth," he said. The African Union, the European Union, the Southern African Development Community, among others, also sent observer missions. 26 May 09