Malawi Holds Crucial Elections Amid Economic Hardship and Past Irregularities
Malawi holds national elections for president, lawmakers, and local government, with President Lazarus Chakwera facing 16 challengers, including former President Peter Mutharika, amidst economic and food insecurity.
Overview
- Malawi is currently holding national elections to choose a president, lawmakers, and local government representatives, with voting underway across the country.
- President Lazarus Chakwera is seeking a second term, competing against 16 other candidates, including his main challenger, former President Peter Mutharika.
- Approximately 7.2 million registered voters, representing 65% of those eligible, are participating in the elections, which feature 17 names on the presidential ballot.
- These elections mark the first since the 2019 presidential vote was nullified and ordered to be rerun in 2020 due to widespread irregularities.
- The nation is grappling with severe economic challenges and food insecurity, exacerbated by Cyclone Freddy in 2023 and an El Ni o-inspired drought in 2024.
Report issue
Read both sides in 5 minutes each day
Analysis
Center-leaning sources cover the Malawi elections neutrally, focusing on factual reporting of the nation's significant economic challenges and the electoral process. They detail high inflation, fuel shortages, and food insecurity impacting citizens, while outlining candidates' backgrounds and the legal changes after the 2019 election nullification. The coverage avoids loaded language regarding political figures, presenting a balanced overview.
"While Chakwera’s election in 2020 was greeted with a surge of public support, the national mood has changed after five hard years."
ABC News"While Chakwera’s 2020 election was greeted with a surge of public support, the national mood has changed after five hard years."
Associated PressArticles (3)
FAQ
The main candidates are incumbent President Lazarus Chakwera from the Malawi Congress Party, seeking a second term, and former President Peter Mutharika of the Democratic Progressive Party, among a total of 17 candidates on the presidential ballot.
Malawi uses a majority vote system for the presidency, where a candidate must secure more than 50% to win, with a second round if needed. The National Assembly's 193 members are elected in single-member constituencies using a simple majority (first-past-the-post) system for five-year terms.
Approximately 7.2 million registered voters are eligible to participate, representing about 65% voter turnout, consistent with past election turnouts around 65% to 70%.
In 2023, Malawi passed a new electoral code including the Presidential, Parliamentary, and Local Government Elections Act of 2023, introducing a two-round system for presidential elections, specifying polling hours, declaring election day a national holiday, and expanding electoral offenses. The 2025 election is the first under this new code.
Malawi is grappling with severe economic hardship and food insecurity, worsened by Cyclone Freddy in 2023 and a drought in 2024 linked to El Niño. Additionally, past elections experienced irregularities, leading to the 2019 election's nullification and rerun in 2020, which adds pressure for credible electoral processes in 2025.
History
- This story does not have any previous versions.