Voting tallies in Malawi as two presidential candidates engage in a fierce power struggle
Malawi held its general elections on Wednesday, with economic issues and fuel shortages overshadowing the outgoing President Lazarus Chakwera's term. The economy, one of the poorest in the world, was a major focus during the election. Inflation in Malawi stood above 27% during the election day, and a chronic shortage of foreign currency restricted imports of fuel, food, and fertiliser. Around 70% of the country's 21 million people live in poverty, according to the World Bank.
The election polls proceeded largely smoothly. More than 64% of the 7.2 million registered voters cast their ballots.
The challenger candidate on election day was Saulos Chilima, while Peter Mutharika, a retired law professor and former president who governed Malawi from 2014 to 2020, was the closest rival to President Chakwera.
Peter Mutharika, a front-runner in the elections, promised solutions and a 'return to proven leadership.' However, the outcome of the elections remains uncertain, as an outright victory requires more than 50% of votes, making a run-off a real possibility.
Peter Mutharika lost power to President Chakwera in an election rerun after the 2019 polls were nullified due to evidence of vote tampering. Many voters wanted a change from President Chakwera, while others were willing to give him a second chance to fix the economy.
The 2025 Malawi general elections had a total of 17 candidates. Provisional results were expected after Thursday, with the election authority required to issue the verified result within eight days of the vote.
Malawi's main export is tobacco, and its economy is dependent on rain-fed agriculture, making it vulnerable to climate shocks. The results of the elections will have a significant impact on the future direction of the country's economy and its people.
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