Tension and excitement are rising across Malawi as vote tallying continues following the country’s highly contested general elections.
Early unofficial results suggest that former President Peter Mutharika is leading against incumbent President Lazarus Chakwera, setting the stage for what could be a dramatic political comeback.
Reports from several polling stations and tallying centers indicate that Mutharika’s Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) is performing strongly in key regions, including the Southern Region — his traditional stronghold.
If the trend continues, Mutharika could reclaim the presidency, just five years after losing to Chakwera in the historic 2020 election.
Malawians turned out in large numbers to cast their votes, despite fuel shortages and logistical challenges that had threatened voter participation.
The Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC), chaired by Annabel Mtalimanja, has urged patience, saying that official results will be released progressively to ensure accuracy and transparency.
“We are committed to delivering credible results. We call on all Malawians to remain calm as the tallying process continues,” MEC said in a statement late Friday night.
The outcome of this election is seen as a referendum on President Chakwera’s leadership, which has been marred by a struggling economy, rising cost of living, and accusations of corruption within his administration.
Mutharika, who ruled Malawi from 2014 to 2020, has campaigned on promises to stabilize the economy, create jobs, and restore investor confidence.
Analysts warn that if no candidate secures more than 50% of the vote, Malawi may head to a runoff election — a scenario that could prolong political uncertainty but also test the resilience of the country’s democratic institutions.
Observers from the African Union (AU) and Southern African Development Community (SADC) are closely monitoring the process, with both groups praising the largely peaceful conduct of the polls so far.
Malawians, meanwhile, remain glued to radios, televisions, and social media, eagerly awaiting final results that will determine the country’s next political chapter.
