Malawi prepares for presidential and parliamentary elections Tuesday as economic hardships plague the southern African nation. Fuel shortages and currency problems compound difficulties from recent droughts and cyclones. The contest features incumbent Lazarus Chakwera against former president Peter Mutharika among 17 candidates. Both politicians seek their second terms while addressing voter concerns about poverty and resource scarcity. Saturday rallies drew hundreds of supporters to final campaign events.
Chakwera addressed crowds in Lilongwe, acknowledging citizen complaints about living costs and promising solutions. The 70-year-old evangelical pastor previously defeated Mutharika in 2020 after courts nullified the initial election due to fraud allegations. Mutharika campaigned in Blantyre, pledging economic reforms and job creation for the struggling nation. The 85-year-old lawyer served as president from 2014 to 2020 before his electoral defeat.
Registered voters totaling 7.2 million will determine the outcome among nearly 21 million citizens. Victory requires more than 50 percent support, making a runoff election highly probable, according to political analysts.
Chakwera addressed crowds in Lilongwe, acknowledging citizen complaints about living costs and promising solutions. The 70-year-old evangelical pastor previously defeated Mutharika in 2020 after courts nullified the initial election due to fraud allegations. Mutharika campaigned in Blantyre, pledging economic reforms and job creation for the struggling nation. The 85-year-old lawyer served as president from 2014 to 2020 before his electoral defeat.
Registered voters totaling 7.2 million will determine the outcome among nearly 21 million citizens. Victory requires more than 50 percent support, making a runoff election highly probable, according to political analysts.
