Malawians head to the polls on Tuesday in a high-stakes election pitting President Lazarus Chakwera against his predecessor, Peter Mutharika, with inflation and fuel shortages dominating the concerns of voters.
Although 15 other candidates, including former president Joyce Banda, are also contesting, analysts expect the race to be largely between Chakwera, 70, and Mutharika, 85. If no candidate secures more than 50 per cent of the vote, a run-off will be held.
The country of about 22 million people has struggled with economic stagnation since Chakwera took office in 2020, compounded by a devastating cyclone and regional drought that destroyed crops. Inflation has remained above 20 per cent for more than three years.
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Corruption scandals have further fuelled public disillusionment. Chakwera won power accusing Mutharika’s government of widespread graft, but critics say his own administration has handled corruption cases selectively and sluggishly.
Voters will also elect members of parliament and local councillors. Analysts say either Chakwera’s Malawi Congress Party or Mutharika’s Democratic Progressive Party is likely to form a coalition with smaller parties to secure a parliamentary majority.
The rivals have already faced off three times, most notably in 2019, when the Constitutional Court annulled Mutharika’s victory citing irregularities and ordered a rerun that Chakwera went on to win in 2020.
Polling stations will open at 06:00 local time (04:00 GMT) and close ten hours later, with results expected
