Africa-Press – Eswatini. Former Deputy Prime Minister Themba Nhlanganiso Masuku has expressed satisfaction with the way Malawians participated in their presidential and parliamentary elections on Tuesday, September 16, 2025.
Masuku, who is Regional Administrator for Shiselweni Region, is leading the SADC Electoral Observer Mission (SEOM), appointed by His Majesty King Mswati III in his capacity as the incoming chairperson of the SADC Troika, responsible for peace, defence, and security in the region.
“I was impressed by the eagerness of the Malawians, who braved the heat to participate. By 6am, people were already at the polls,” Masuku said.
He noted the peaceful conduct of voters from different political parties and highlighted the strong participation of youth and women, describing it as a positive sign for the country’s future.
The elections are for President, Members of Parliament, and local government councillors, with approximately 7.2 million registered voters. Results are expected by September 24, 2025.
The presidential race is widely viewed as a close contest between incumbent Lazarus Chakwera, 70, and his predecessor Peter Mutharika, 85, with economic challenges, including a cost-of-living crisis and food shortages, at the forefront of voters’ concerns.
Seventeen candidates, including former President Joyce Banda, the only woman in the race, are contesting the presidency. Despite this, analysts say the election is largely dominated by Chakwera and Mutharika.
Malawi’s electorate has faced multiple challenges, including soaring inflation above 27 percent, foreign currency shortages, and chronic fuel disruptions. The economy, heavily dependent on agriculture—particularly tobacco—has been severely affected by climate change. In 2023, Cyclone Freddy killed over 1 200 people and devastated farmland, while recurring droughts have exacerbated food insecurity. According to the World Bank, 70 percent of Malawians live on less than $2.15 a day.
Historically, the two frontrunners have faced each other at the ballot box before: Mutharika won in 2014, while Chakwera triumphed in a 2020 rerun after the original vote was annulled due to irregularities. Chakwera is campaigning on promises to restore economic stability and public confidence, while Mutharika focuses on infrastructure development, despite corruption allegations during his tenure.
Long queues formed outside polling stations early in the day, although voter turnout reportedly dropped to 51 percent by mid-afternoon, down from 64 percent in 2020.
Masuku concluded that the conduct of the elections reflected the commitment of Malawians to democracy, and he commended all stakeholders for ensuring a peaceful and orderly process.
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