Malawi awaits presidential results amid economic discontent, tight race

Vote counting is underway in Malawi following a tense general election held Tuesday, with early indications suggesting a close contest between incumbent President Lazarus Chakwera and his main challenger, former president Peter Mutharika.

The election was held against a backdrop of deepening economic troubles in the southern African country, which could influence Chakwera’s bid for a second term. Soaring inflation — which has exceeded 27% in recent months — and a shortage of foreign currency have severely impacted the import of essentials like fuel, food, and fertiliser. With over 70% of the population living in poverty, according to the World Bank, frustration with the status quo is running high.

Political analyst George Chaima told AFP that initial results indicate significant support for Mutharika, who served as president from 2014 to 2020. “Early initial results suggest people across the southern African country were rallying behind Mutharika, persuaded that Malawi was better off during his 2014–2020 term,” Chaima said.

“Despite shortcomings and shortfalls (during Mutharika’s first term), Malawians were not going through rough times like we are now, economically,” he added. “If you look at the current status quo, you’ll find that the elites are living a very lavish lifestyle… they don’t feel the pinch that people are feeling now.”

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Mutharika, 85, a retired law professor, lost the 2020 election to Chakwera, 70, in a historic rerun of a 2019 vote that was nullified due to electoral irregularities, including allegations that correction fluid was used to tamper with tally sheets.

Since 2020, Malawi’s electoral system requires a candidate to secure more than 50% of the vote to win outright. If no one achieves this threshold, a second-round runoff will be held within 60 days.

The Malawi Electoral Commission is expected to begin releasing provisional results from Thursday, with official certified results due within eight days.

“There seems to be a tight competition,” said Michael Kaiyatsa, executive director of the Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR). He acknowledged that the early surge in support for Mutharika was surprising, given his rejection at the polls just five years ago. “People change and, also, five years in politics is a long time,” he said.

“Many people are going hungry,” Kaiyatsa added. “Many people have been forced into poverty because of the hard economic situation.”

Mutharika and his Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) ran on a campaign of economic revival, vowing to end Malawi’s foreign exchange crisis within six months, reduce government debt, and restore what they called “proven leadership.”

Climate shocks have further exacerbated the country’s challenges. Malawi experienced a severe drought in 2024, following a deadly cyclone the previous year that claimed more than 1,000 lives, further destabilizing its agriculture-driven economy.

President Chakwera acknowledged the hardships during his final campaign rally last weekend, pledging corrective action. “I have taken your words to heart. We will fix things,” said the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) leader.

More than 64% of the country’s 7.2 million registered voters participated in Tuesday’s election, which also included parliamentary and local council races. As Malawians await the official results, the nation remains on edge — hopeful for change, yet uncertain of the path ahead.

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