Vote counting underway in Malawi
Malawi is currently tallying votes following a tense presidential election amid the country’s worst economic downturn in decades marked by soaring inflation, food shortages and the mounting impacts of climate change.
Seventeen candidates contested the presidential race but it is widely seen as a contest between the incumbent Lazarus Chakwera, 70, and former president Peter Mutharika, 85. The two have faced off twice before in 2014 when Mutharika secured victory and in 2020 when Chakwera won a rerun with 59 percent after the initial vote was annulled over irregularities.
Voting day saw long lines outside polling stations early in the morning though voter turnout declined sharply later in the day. By mid-afternoon, the electoral commission reported a turnout of only 51 percent—down from 64 percent in 2020.
Both Chakwera, an evangelical pastor and Mutharika, a former law professor face allegations of cronyism and corruption fueling public discontent. Despite the presence of other candidates including the country’s only woman candidate, former President Joyce Banda, analysts say the race remains dominated by the two frontrunners.
Chakwera is seeking a second term campaigning on promises to revitalize the economy and restore confidence in government. Mutharika has campaigned on his record of infrastructure investments though his tenure was marred by corruption scandals.
Malawi’s 21.6 million people are grappling with inflation exceeding 27 percent, shortages of foreign currency and persistent fuel disruptions. The economy, heavily reliant on agriculture particularly tobacco is severely impacted by climate change. Cyclone Freddy which killed over 1,200 people and devastated farmland in 2023 and recurring droughts have exacerbated food insecurity. The World Bank estimates that 70 percent of Malawians live on less than $2.15 a day.
Alongside the presidential election, voters elected members of parliament and local councillors across 35 local governments. If no candidate secures more than 50 percent of the vote, a runoff is expected within 60 days. Provisional results from Tuesday’s vote are anticipated by Thursday.
