What’s At Stake In Malawi’s Presidential Elections?

More than 7.2 million registered voters will be voting for a president, 229 members of parliament, and 509 local councillors on Tuesday, 16 September 2025, in what is shaping up to be Malawi’s most keenly contested elections. The presidential race, however, carries the most weight, not just for domestic governance but also for investor confidence and international perceptions of Malawi’s fragile democracy.

Against the backdrop of economic turmoil, natural disasters, and political uncertainty. Malawians are preparing for high-stakes elections. This election comes after a punishing five-year period. Malawi’s inflation currently hovers around twenty seven percent, one of the highest in southern Africa. Food insecurity is high, with a devastating 2024 drought leaving millions at risk of hunger and causing food prices to soar. Natural disasters have also affected the country. Cyclone Freddy in 2023 killed more than 1,200 people and displaced hundreds of thousands, and the unexpected death of Vice-President Saulos Chilima in a plane crash further destabilised the political landscape, removing a figure many young Malawians had seen as the future of the presidency. 

Meet The Candidates

Seventeen names appear on the ballot, but the contest is effectively a rematch between two familiar rivals: President Lazarus Chakwera and former president Peter Mutharika.

Incumbent President Chakwera, 70, is a former preacher-turned-politician who rose to prominence as the leader of the Malawi Congress Party in 2013. He first contested for presidency in 2014, but lost to Mutharika, and was again defeated in the disputed 2019 election. That result was later annulled by the Constitutional Court, leading to the 2020 re-run in which Chakwera triumphed with 59 percent of the vote. His presidency has been defined by severe economic pressures, persistent corruption allegations, and dwindling public trust, although he points to infrastructure development and the revival of train services after three decades as tangible achievements.

Mutharika, 85, is a former law professor who served as president from 2014 until 2020. He is remembered for lower inflation rates during his tenure but is also associated with corruption scandals, including allegations of kickbacks on state contracts, which he denies. His advanced age and frequent absence from the campaign trail have fuelled speculation about his health, yet he retains a loyal base that believes he handled the economy better than his successor.

Other candidates could prove influential if the vote goes to a run-off. Joyce Banda, Malawi’s first female president, carries the baggage of the “Cashgate” scandal even though she was cleared of direct involvement. Michael Usi, the current vice-president, enjoys popularity among younger voters but lacks national machinery. Dalitso Kabambe, the former central bank governor, presents himself as a technocrat with economic expertise. While none are expected to secure outright victory, they may become decisive kingmakers in the second round.

What Are The Issues at Stake?

Talks about strengthening the economy dominate the campaign conversation. Inflation has eroded household incomes, the Kwacha has been repeatedly devalued, and chronic shortages of fuel and electricity have stifled businesses. Food insecurity has deepened, with more than four million Malawians at risk of hunger after poor harvests. Chakwera attributes much of the crisis to global shocks and climate change, while Mutharika argues it is the result of mismanagement. The question for voters is whether to trust continuity or return to a familiar hand.

Corruption is another central theme. Chakwera promised to “clear the rubble of corruption” when he came to power, but scepticism has grown after several high-profile cases were dropped and the Anti-Corruption Bureau has remained leaderless for more than a year. Both Chakwera and Mutharika face graft allegations of their own, while Banda’s legacy remains clouded by Cashgate. For many Malawians, corruption is not just a political talking point but a lived reality that undermines services, livelihoods, and trust in government.

The death of Vice-President Chilima continues to cast a shadow over the election. Although official investigations ruled out foul play in the 2024 plane crash, suspicions linger, and opposition parties have used the incident to stoke mistrust in the authorities. Opposition parties have seized on the tragedy, mocking Chakwera’s camp as the “Chikangawa Party,” a name that keeps the memory of the crash site alive in the political arena. Chilima, who had fallen out with Chakwera, was expected to be a strong contender in this election. His absence has reshaped the political map and left many young voters feeling disenfranchised.

What Are Expectations From The Elections?

Malawi now uses a 50 percent plus one system for its presidential elections;  a candidate must secure an outright majority to avoid a run-off. With 17 candidates splitting the votes, neither Chakwera nor Mutharika will likely win outright in the first round. In that case, alliances with smaller parties such as Banda’s People’s Party, Usi’s Odya Zake Alibe Mlandu, or Kabambe’s UTM could prove decisive.

The credibility of the process itself will be under scrutiny. Malawi made history in 2020 when its courts annulled a presidential election marred by irregularities, a decision that earned global praise for judicial independence. This legacy has given many Malawians faith in the system, yet concerns persist. Civil society groups and opposition parties have accused the electoral commission of bias toward the ruling party, while pre-election violence, including the machete attack on demonstrators in June, has raised fears about intimidation and shrinking civic space.

Results for the presidential elections are expected by September 24th, with parliamentary tallies announced at the end of the month. If no candidate secures a majority, a run-off must be held within 60 days. The stakes are high, for ordinary Malawians struggling with the rising cost of living, Africa is betting on Malawi to again demonstrate democratic resilience, and for donors who provide nearly forty percent of the national budget, they are looking for signs of economic stability.