Global South Politics: All you need to know about Malawi’s 2025 elections

These are tripartite elections, meaning voters will cast ballots for the presidency, the National Assembly, and local councils. If no presidential candidate secures more than 50% of the vote, the Constitution requires a runoff election between the top two contenders.

The stakes are high. Malawi’s last tripartite election in 2019 was annulled by the courts over widespread irregularities, the first time in African history that a presidential result was legally overturned. That precedent has raised the bar for credibility in this year’s vote.

Who are the main candidates?

President Lazarus Chakwera (Malawi Congress Party, MCP): Elected in 2020 after the annulment of the 2019 polls, he is seeking a second term. Chakwera has framed his campaign around continuity, arguing that his government has laid the foundation for reform despite setbacks.

Peter Mutharika (Democratic Progressive Party, DPP): The 85-year-old former president is attempting a comeback. He was ousted after the court-sanctioned rerun in 2020 and remains a divisive figure. Supporters see him as a seasoned leader; critics recall the protests that ended his rule.

Joyce Banda (People’s Party, PP): A former president (2012–2014) running again, Banda is emphasising women’s empowerment and youth inclusion. Her return adds weight to an already crowded field.

In total, 16 candidates have been cleared by the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC), though analysts say only five or six are serious contenders.

Electoral system & voter roll

Malawi’s president is elected by an absolute majority (50% + 1), which almost guarantees a runoff in a fragmented race. Members of the National Assembly are chosen under the first-past-the-post system in 193 single-member constituencies.

According to the MEC, 7.2 million voters are registered, representing about 66% of eligible adults. Women account for a majority of registered voters at 57%.

The economic backdrop

The election comes amid one of Malawi’s toughest economic periods in decades. Inflation has consistently ranked among the highest in Africa, hovering above 25% since early 2024. By May 2025, it stood at 27.7%, with food inflation even higher at 31.6%.

The Reserve Bank of Malawi has revised its 2025 forecast, now expecting inflation to close at 32.4%. Growth projections were cut in February as protests over rising prices and shortages spread in major cities.

Public debt is another pressing concern, estimated at 86–88% of GDP by late 2024. Hopes for stabilisation collapsed in May 2025 when the IMF terminated its $175 million Extended Credit Facility, having disbursed only $35 million.

Credibility and institutions

After the 2019 annulment, Malawians expect nothing less than transparent and accountable elections. The Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) has received technical support from the African Union, COMESA, and International IDEA, and at least six observer missions have been accredited.

Still, scepticism remains. In 2019, the EU Observer Mission endorsed elections that were later overturned by the courts. This has raised doubts about the effectiveness of international monitoring this year.

Campaign issues

• Inflation and Shortages: Everyday hardships, rising food costs, fuel scarcity, and stagnant wages are dominating campaign conversations.
• Corruption and Governance: The ruling MCP has been dogged by corruption scandals, while opposition figures are burdened by legacies of past misrule.
• Youth Employment: With nearly 70% of the population under 35, job creation and youth empowerment are pivotal to voter decisions.

While the race is wide open, many voters feel trapped between familiar but uninspiring choices.