MALAWI went to the polls today with citizens casting their votes for a new president amid rising prices, fuel shortages, and economic uncertainty.
The election pits incumbent President Lazarus Chakwera against his predecessor, 85-year-old Peter Mutharika, in a contest for leadership of the southern African nation.
Chakwera, a 70-year-old retired pastor who replaced Mutharika after a 2020 rerun of the annulled 2019 election, is seeking a second term.
Observers note that the economic downturn, marked by inflation above 27% and a persistent foreign exchange shortage affecting fuel, fertilizer, and food imports, poses a significant challenge to his campaign.
Among the 17 candidates in the race, Mutharika is considered Chakwera’s main rival.
Many younger voters expressed frustration and a desire for change, while others remained open to giving Chakwera another chance to stabilize the economy.
Ettah Nyasulu, a 28-year-old waitress in Lilongwe, said, “I want to change this government. I want young people to have good jobs and opportunities to improve our lives.”
Polling Day
Voters faced long queues at outdoor polling stations, though turnout was reported at only 51% by early afternoon.
Despite the modest participation, Chakwera supporters, such as Lindani Kitchini in Lilongwe, expressed confidence in their candidate’s ability to lead Malawi forward.
Malawi, home to roughly 21 million people, is heavily reliant on tobacco exports and rain-fed agriculture, much of it subsistence farming, making the economy vulnerable to climate shocks.
About 70% of the population lives in poverty, and nearly 60% of registered voters are under 35 years old.
Polling stations closed at 4:00 pm (1400 GMT) but continued to accommodate voters already in line, with some stations reporting turnout around 60%.
Presidential, parliamentary, and local council results are expected to start coming in immediately after polls close, with early projections possibly available by Thursday.
Election Outlook
An outright presidential win in Malawi requires over 50% of votes, making a run-off likely within 60 days if no candidate achieves this threshold.
Political analysts noted voter apathy fueled by disillusionment with past leaders accused of corruption and mismanagement.
Chakwera, campaigning on continuity, highlighted ongoing infrastructure projects and promised to address economic grievances.
Meanwhile, Mutharika called for a “return to proven leadership” and pledged reforms to revive the economy.
Political commentator Chris Nhlane described the election as “generally peaceful and orderly,” while acknowledging signs of voter disengagement.
Analyst Mavuto Bamusi emphasized that Chakwera’s incumbency advantage has been undermined by poor economic performance, giving room for nostalgia for Mutharika’s administration.
As Malawi awaits results, the world watches whether voters will reward continuity or seek change amid one of the nation’s toughest economic periods in recent history.