Natalie Nyathi
On September 16, 2025, tuesday ,Malawi held its presidential and parliamentary elections against a backdrop of severe economic challenges. The election, the first since the annulled and rerun presidential election of 2020, saw voters head to the polls to choose between incumbent President Lazarus Chakwera and sixteen other candidates, most notably his predecessor, Peter Mutharika.
The primary concern for voters was the deepening economic crisis gripping the nation. Malawi is currently facing soaring inflation, critical fuel shortages, and rising costs of living. The World Bank has described Malawi’s economy as being in a “deep and protracted crisis,” with high rates of food insecurity and declining living standards. Inflation reached 27.3% in July 2025, with food inflation even higher at 31.6%. This has made everyday food items unaffordable for many of Malawi’s 21 million people.
The economic crisis has been exacerbated by climate-related events. In 2023, Cyclone Freddy caused widespread devastation, killing over 1,200 people and destroying farmland. Recurring droughts have also contributed to food insecurity, with maize production falling significantly. The IMF has warned of serious risks if reforms are not urgently implemented, including fiscal tightening, improved debt management, and exchange rate flexibility.
The main contenders in the election were Lazarus Chakwera, the incumbent President representing the Malawi Congress Party (MCP), and Peter Mutharika, the former president leading the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). Chakwera, who won the historic 2020 rerun election, campaigned on promises to fix the economy and restore confidence in the government. However, his term has been marked by high inflation and fuel shortages. Mutharika, who served as president from 2014 to 2020, has campaigned on his record of infrastructure investment, while also facing corruption allegations. Joyce Banda, a former president, was also in the race, though analysts suggested the election was primarily between Chakwera and Mutharika.
Under Malawi’s electoral laws, a candidate must receive over 50% of the vote to win outright. With a crowded field of candidates, analysts anticipate that no candidate will reach this threshold in the first round, leading to a runoff election between the top two vote-getters. Voter turnout was 62.61%, a decrease of 2.20 percentage points.
The Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) is under close scrutiny to ensure a free and fair election, particularly after the irregularities that led to the annulment of the 2019 election. The results of the election are expected to be released within a week. The outcome will be critical for Malawi, as the new leader will face the daunting task of addressing the country’s economic crisis and improving the lives of its citizens.