Malawians came out in large numbers on September 16 to cast their votes in what many described as one of the most intense elections in recent years. The battle is mainly between President Lazarus Chakwera and his predecessor, Peter Mutharika, with everyday citizens worried most about the high cost of living and stubborn inflation that refuses to ease.
Chakwera, 70, is seeking a second term, but his biggest rival is the much older 85-year-old Mutharika. Analysts say the race looks like a straight fight between the two, even though 15 other candidates—including former president Joyce Banda—are also on the ballot. If no candidate secures more than half of the votes, the country will head for a run-off.
For ordinary people, the hardship is biting. “I voted for the candidate I believe can end hunger. I am struggling to feed my children,” said Alindiine Bellison Kazembe, a 32-year-old mother of four who works as a domestic helper in Blantyre. Inflation has been above 20 percent for more than three years, making even basic food items unaffordable for many families.
The economy has also been battered by disasters since Chakwera’s 2020 victory. A powerful cyclone and a harsh regional drought wiped out crops, leaving widespread food shortages. “Prices keep rising. I hope the next president fixes the economy,” lamented 50-year-old Mazaza Msiska from Ndirande township, who has been jobless since the Covid-19 pandemic.
Voting officially opened at 6 a.m., but some polling centers experienced delays when biometric fingerprint machines failed to work. “We had to revert to manual identification when the machines failed, but the process is now stable,” explained Wezi Winnesi, an election monitor with the opposition United Democratic Front.
Beyond the presidential race, Malawians are also electing parliamentarians and local councillors. Yet, corruption remains a dark cloud over both major parties. Chakwera himself came into office after the courts annulled Mutharika’s 2019 victory due to irregularities, but critics say his own government has been slow and selective in fighting graft.
“The race is too close to call,” said Chimwemwe Tsitsi, a political scientist at the Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences. “Economic performance, corruption, food security, governance style, and leaders’ agility are the key issues. The ruling party’s economic record is weak, but opposition disunity works in their favor.”
Official results are expected within a week. Until then, Malawians wait anxiously, hoping the next leader can bring relief from hunger, restore economic stability, and rebuild trust in governance.
