Former Malawi President Peter Mutharika holds a commanding lead over incumbent Lazarus Chakwera in partial election results. Mutharika, 85, lost the presidency to Chakwera five years ago after a court annulled his 2019 victory over voting irregularities.
Partial results from 24 of 36 councils show Mutharika securing around 68% of votes, signaling strong public support this election. Chakwera, 70, trails with just over 20% of the vote, facing criticism over economic hardship and rising living costs.
The president’s first term saw inflation soar above 27%, alongside fuel and food shortages affecting the largely rural population. Seventeen candidates contested Malawi’s presidential election last Tuesday, with a majority required to avoid a runoff vote next month.
Voters also chose members of Parliament and local councils in polls dominated by concerns over economic instability. Malawians have waited nearly a week for results, growing anxious as the Electoral Commission insists proper counting cannot be rushed.
Political analysts say the early lead could reshape the country’s fragile democracy, but caution that final results remain uncertain. Mutharika’s apparent resurgence reflects deep voter frustration with Chakwera’s administration and the country’s enduring economic struggles. Observers describe the vote as a defining moment for Malawi, where decades of political turmoil and poverty continue to collide.