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A women waits for her turn to vote as Malawians vote in the country's general election at Malembo village, west of the capital, Lilongwe, Malawi, September 16, 2025
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Lilongwe, Malawi
Polls have opened in Malawi as President Lazarus Chakwera and his predecessor Peter Mutharika face off in a fiercely contested presidential election, with soaring living costs, fuel shortages, and a struggling economy dominating the campaign. Voting began at 6:00 a.m. (04:00 GMT) with 17 candidates on the ballot, though analysts say the real contest is between Chakwera, 70, and Mutharika, 85. Both men have pledged to revive the agriculture-dependent economy, battered by inflation now above 27 percent, climate shocks, and a devastating 2023 cyclone.
A women votes during Malawi's general election, at Malembo village, west of the capital, Lilongwe
This is Malawi’s first national election since the 2019 presidential vote was nullified due to widespread irregularities, leading to a rerun in 2020 that Chakwera won with 59 percent.
But five years later, disillusionment runs deep. Both frontrunners have faced accusations of corruption, cronyism, and economic mismanagement, leaving many voters torn. Political analyst Chris Nhlane described the choice as one between “two disappointments.”
With 60 percent of Malawi’s 7.2 million registered voters under 35, youth mobilization has become central. “We are frustrated. We don’t need a leader, we need someone who can fix the economy,” said activist Charles Chisambo, 34.
An election offial helps locals as Malawians vote in the country's general election at Malembo village
The cost of living has surged 75 percent in the past year, according to the Centre for Social Concern, worsening hardships in a country where 70 percent of the 21 million people live in poverty, World Bank figures show. Chakwera, leader of the Malawi Congress Party, has campaigned on continuity, citing infrastructure projects and promising cheaper fertilizer to support farmers. Yet, many recall Mutharika’s “relatively better administration,” analyst Mavuto Bamusi noted.
Mutharika, campaigning under the Democratic Progressive Party, has promised a “return to proven leadership” and economic reform. “I want to rescue this country,” he declared at a rally in Blantyre.
Voters like Thula Jere, 31, remain hopeful. “I will vote for APM (Mutharika) because he knows how to manage the economy and has Malawians’ welfare at heart,” he said.
To win outright, a candidate must secure more than 50 percent of the vote, making a run-off within 60 days a strong possibility.
Source: Reuters
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Malawi votes amid economic downturn and leadership discontent
