Malawi Holds High-Stakes Presidential Election Amid Economic Turmoil

Sun Oct 19 2025 23:24:21 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

As Malawians vote today, the economic crisis fuels concerns over rising living costs and fuel shortages. President Lazarus Chakwera faces off against Peter Mutharika in a pivotal election amidst political uncertainty.

On September 16, 2025, Malawi is conducting presidential and parliamentary elections amidst a deepening economic crisis. President Lazarus Chakwera seeks re-election against former president Peter Mutharika. Citizens express their concerns over soaring living costs and fuel shortages, with the possibility of a runoff election looming if no candidate secures the majority vote.

Malawians are voting in presidential and parliamentary elections, following a turbulent five years that has seen the economic crisis worsening in the southern African nation.

President Lazarus Chakwera is vying for a second term, his main rival being Peter Mutharika, an octogenarian who has previously been in office.

In the cities, campaigning has been overshadowed by fuel shortages, which have led to long, frustrating queues at petrol stations. The rising cost of living has also been a major concern of voters.

A presidential run-off will be held if no candidate gets more than 50% of the votes cast in Tuesday's election.

What are Malawians voting for?

The 7.2 million registered voters will be taking part in three elections once polling stations open at 04:00 GMT:

Presidential - there are 17 candidates to choose from
Parliamentary - 229 constituency MPs will be elected
Local - 509 councillor positions are up for grabs.

Who could be the next president?

Among the 17 hopefuls, Chakwera and Mutharika are once again the leading contenders. This election marks their fourth direct face-off, although it follows a preceding controversial election result where Chakwera's victory in the 2020 rerun was historic.

Chakwera, leader of the Malawi Congress Party (MCP), rose to power in 2020 after years of economic difficulties, while Mutharika, representing the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), held the presidency from 2014 to 2020 and now challenges Chakwera once again.

What are the key issues for voters?

Key issues in this election season include the economy, plagued by inflation and diminishing foreign reserves, and concerns over corruption, which have not disappeared despite Chakwera's pledges to combat graft.

What has happened in previous elections?

Since the transition to a multi-party democracy in 1994, Malawi has experienced a range of electoral outcomes, with significant political shifts marked notably by Chakwera's victory in 2020 after a contentious legal battle.

How will Tuesday's presidential vote work?

This election employs a new system requiring candidates to achieve over 50% of the votes to win, setting the stage for a potential runoff if no consensus winner emerges.

Will the elections be free and fair?

While the 2019 court ruling preserving electoral integrity has lent some optimism, accusations of bias against the electoral commission by opposition groups raise concerns about impartiality in the current election.