Africa-Press – Malawi. Malawi’s former president Peter Mutharika and incumbent Lazarus Chakwera are emerging as the main contenders in a fiercely contested general election, with early official results showing Mutharika holding a narrow lead. The September 16 polls, which also featured 15 other presidential hopefuls, including former president Joyce Banda and former Reserve Bank governor Dalitso Kabambe, are being seen as a critical test for Malawi’s fragile democracy and its struggling economy.
The Numbers So Far
The Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) announced that from nine councils counted so far, Mutharika has secured over 203,000 votes, while Chakwera follows with 153,000. Kabambe is trailing in third. Results from 34 of the 36 councils have already reached the National Tally Centre in Lilongwe, with final figures expected by September 24, in line with the legal requirement that results be declared within eight days.
Provisional figures suggest Mutharika is hovering around the 50% mark, with Chakwera at just under 40%, but with two councils yet to declare, the possibility of a runoff remains alive. Under Malawian law, the winning candidate must secure 50% plus one vote, failing which a second round must be held within 60 days.
High Stakes, High Hopes
This is Mutharika’s fourth showdown with Chakwera. Their rivalry has defined Malawi’s politics for the past decade. In 2019, Mutharika was controversially declared winner, only for the Constitutional Court to annul the result in a landmark ruling that set a democratic precedent for Africa. Chakwera went on to win the historic 2020 re-run, pledging reform and accountability.
But five years on, Malawians are grappling with stubborn inflation above 20%, food shortages, power cuts, and fuel queues. The country has also been battered by climate shocks including Cyclone Freddy and prolonged drought, deepening poverty in one of the world’s least developed nations.
For many voters, the election has been less about party loyalties and more about economic survival. “There is anger in us. I want to change this government. I want young people to be in good jobs,” one young waitress told AFP on polling day.
Malawi in A Wider Context
Malawi’s political drama resonates beyond its borders. In southern Africa, questions of governance, corruption, and economic mismanagement remain central themes. Chakwera’s presidency had won international goodwill for its anti-graft rhetoric, but critics say prosecutions have been selective and too slow.
Mutharika, at 85, represents continuity for some and nostalgia for others: he is remembered for taming inflation and improving infrastructure during his 2014–2020 presidency, though also dogged by accusations of cronyism.
Globally, Malawi’s election will be watched as part of a broader wave of African contests in 2025, from Ghana to South Africa, where incumbent fatigue, economic hardship, and demands for youth inclusion are shaping electoral outcomes.
Challenges And Controversies
Though largely peaceful, the process has not been without controversy. MEC confirmed that eight data entry clerks were arrested over alleged “data manipulation,” heightening tensions among party agents. The commission has urged candidates to avoid declaring premature victory, warning that only verified results will count.
Observer missions from the African Union, SADC and COMESA praised the poll’s transparency so far, commending Malawians for their orderly conduct.
What Happens Next
With nearly all votes now at the tally centre, Malawians are in suspense. A first-round victory for Mutharika would mark a dramatic comeback for the octogenarian, while a Chakwera resurgence could still force a runoff.
Either way, the election outcome will be pivotal for a nation in urgent need of economic rescue and political stability.
As MEC chairperson Justice Annabel Mtalimanja reminded Malawians:
“Let us remain peaceful and calm as we await the final results.”
For More News And Analysis About Malawi Follow Africa-Press
