Malawi’s electoral commission has issued a stern warning to political parties, urging them not to declare victory before official results are announced. The caution comes after both major presidential contenders incumbent Lazarus Chakwera and former president Peter Mutharika claimed success in Tuesday’s vote.
At a Thursday press briefing, commission chairperson Annabel Mtalimanja emphasized that only the electoral body has the authority to release results. While nearly all ballots have been counted, the commission is holding off on announcing the outcome until every vote is verified, aiming to prevent legal challenges.
Under Malawi’s electoral rules, a candidate must secure more than 50% of the vote to win outright; otherwise, a run-off is triggered.
This election follows a turbulent political history. In 2019, Mutharika’s victory was overturned by the country’s top court due to widespread irregularities. Chakwera went on to win the re-run decisively, becoming president. Now, at 85, Mutharika is seeking a dramatic return to power.
Alongside the presidential race, Malawians also cast ballots in parliamentary and local elections. The campaign season was overshadowed by a deepening economic crisis, marked by fuel shortages, a lack of foreign currency, and soaring inflation currently near 30%. In Lilongwe, the capital, a frozen chicken can cost around $20, in a country where most citizens survive on less than $2 a day.
