Runoff Likely As Votes Count Continues In Malawi’s Presidential Election

Malawi began counting votes Tuesday in a presidential election expected to be a tight race between old rivals. The race could go to a runoff, and it comes during economic turmoil in one of the world’s least developed countries.

Voters chose to give President Lazarus Chakwera, 70, a second term or choose another leader to solve the southern African nation’s soaring inflation, cost-of-living crisis and critical fuel shortages.

Among the 16 other candidates, former President Peter Mutharika, 85, is considered a strong challenger to return as leader.

The two rivals faced off in 2019, when a court nullified Mutharika’s victory as the incumbent over challenger Chakwera because of widespread irregularities. Chakwera won a historic rerun of that vote in 2020.

While Chakwera’s election was greeted with public support, the national mood has changed after five hard years for a largely rural country with high poverty levels.

Election officials said polls closed in Tuesday’s one-day vote, and counting began late afternoon. By law, the results must be announced within a week. Voters will also choose the makeup of Parliament and more than 500 local government representatives.

Joyce Banda, another former president, and Vice President Michael Usi are also running for the top position. Still, analysts see it as a two-horse race between Chakwera of the Malawi Congress Party and Mutharika of the Democratic Progressive Party.

“The cost of living is high, and with that, many problems have increased,” said Patrick Holeya, a 48-year-old father of six from Thyolo.

Holeya said he voted for Mutharika in the former president’s home district.

“I hope my vote will lead to caring leadership. Politicians have snubbed us for too long, but today we are the kingmakers,” he said.

The presidential election is likely to go to a runoff after the failed 2019 vote prompted a change in Malawian electoral law. The format implemented after 2020 requires the winner to receive more than 50% of the vote. Because no candidate is expected to get more than 50% in the first round, a runoff and another vote pitting Chakwera against Mutharika is expected. Any runoff must be held within 30 days of the results announcement.