Malawi's Presidential Elections: A Crucial Vote Amid Economic Trials

Tue Sep 23 2025 09:11:55 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Malawians cast their votes today in a pivotal presidential and parliamentary election marked by a severe economic crisis. President Lazarus Chakwera seeks re-election against challenger Peter Mutharika as voters face rising living costs and fuel shortages.

Voting is underway in Malawi as citizens participate in presidential and parliamentary elections against a backdrop of economic hardship and fuel shortages. President Lazarus Chakwera hopes to secure a second term, facing main rival Peter Mutharika, with the potential for a runoff if no candidate achieves over 50% of votes. Key issues include rampant inflation, corruption, and the legacy of natural disasters affecting the nation.

Malawians are voting in presidential and parliamentary elections today, following a turbulent five years marked by a worsening economic crisis in the southern African nation. President Lazarus Chakwera is vying for a second term against Peter Mutharika, who has previously held office.

As voters head to the polls, issues such as fuel shortages and the rising cost of living overshadow the campaign efforts. Long queues at petrol stations reflect the frustrations faced by citizens, and the economic strain has become a pressing concern for many.

If no candidate receives more than 50% of the votes cast today, a presidential run-off will be required.

What are Malawians voting for?

Today’s elections involve 7.2 million registered voters participating in three contests:

Presidential - with 17 candidates to choose from.
Parliamentary - electing 229 constituency MPs.
Local - filling 509 councillor positions.

Key Electoral Players

The presidential race features two main candidates: Chakwera and Mutharika, who will compete against each other for the fourth time. Chakwera, representing the Malawi Congress Party (MCP), previously defeated Mutharika in a 2020 re-run following a disputed election in 2019.

Mutharika, backed by the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), has faced challenges regarding his age and health, which some speculate may hinder his campaign.

Key Issues for Voters

Economic challenges are at the forefront, with Malawi facing extreme poverty, worsened by natural disasters such as Cyclone Freddy. Rising inflation and fuel shortages have further stressed the population.

Concerns over corruption also loom large, with long-standing allegations against both leading candidates impacting public trust. Voter skepticism remains high, particularly following the controversial handling of prior corruption charges and a lack of transparency in governance.

Looking Ahead

The electoral commission aims to announce results within a week, with newly implemented regulations ensuring that candidates must achieve more than 50% of votes to secure an outright win. As the nation stands at this critical juncture, the outcome of today’s elections will shape Malawi’s path forward amid ongoing economic adversity.