Malawians are waiting to find out who their next president will be as polls have closed in most parts of the country and counting has begun. Thousands queued outside polling stations on Tuesday to vote for a president, MPs, and local councillors, hoping to effect change in a country grappling with economic issues. Some voters are still casting ballots in areas where polling started late.
In his campaign for a second term, current President Lazarus Chakwera pledged to fix Malawi's economy, as did his main rival, former President Peter Mutharika. If no candidate secures more than half the votes, the top two contenders will proceed to a runoff.
The election has highlighted the pervasive economic challenges facing Malawi, including a significant rise in food prices and rampant inflation attributed to a shortage of foreign currency. Voters expressed their desire for change, emphasizing the need for better employment opportunities and improvements in government accountability.
As President Chakwera voted in his home village, he assured residents he would tackle the ongoing fuel shortage. Voter turnout was reported at around 50% of the registered electorate, with some stations experiencing delays due to technical challenges.
The Malawi Electoral Commission is expected to announce the presidential results by September 24, while parliamentary results will follow by September 30, as the nation holds its breath for a potential change in leadership amid an ongoing economic crisis.
