Malawi Elections 2025

Lilongwe, Malawi (Sept. 16, 2025) — In a decisive moment for one of Africa’s most resilient democracies, Malawians delivered a stunning political comeback this month. On Sept. 16, voters across this landlocked nation elected 85-year-old former president Peter Mutharika, ousting incumbent Lazarus Chakwera in an election that doubled as a referendum on government performance and the country’s economic survival.

Malawi’s path to this moment has been shaped by decades of transformation. Once the British protectorate of Nyasaland, the country gained independence in 1964 and endured three decades of single-party rule under Hastings Banda before citizens forced open a path to democracy in 1993. The 1994 constitution created a unitary presidential republic with a strong executive, a unicameral National Assembly of 229 seats, and an independent judiciary and electoral commission. Those institutions have faced repeated tests, from disputed results to annulled elections, yet Malawi has emerged as a rare example of judicially enforced electoral accountability on the continent. In 2020, the Constitutional Court ordered a historic rerun that brought Chakwera to power. Five years later, many of the same voters returned to the polls, this time searching for answers to persistent hardship.

Mutharika, running under the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) banner, centered his campaign squarely on the economy, blaming the Chakwera administration for high inflation, currency depreciation, and soaring food prices. “We come from a background of winning from the opposition. We will do the same next year. We are coming to fix the economy,” he told party delegates in August 2024, rallying a base eager for what many saw as a steadier hand. Chakwera pointed to infrastructure gains and his anti-corruption drive, but his message struggled to overcome the weight of deepening fuel shortages, a corn deficit, and a collapsing Tonse Alliance after the withdrawal of the United Transformation Movement in 2024 left him politically exposed.

For ordinary Malawians, the economic crisis was not an abstraction but a daily reality. “Prices of livestock from farmers have been rising unstoppably … I hope my vote addresses this,” said Patrick Tito, a butcher in Blantyre, standing in line to cast his ballot. More than 6,000 polling stations opened nationwide, and observers reported orderly queues in cities and long waits in rural areas where poor roads delayed ballot distribution. Early tabulations showed Mutharika surging to a commanding lead, with some returns giving him nearly two-thirds of the vote. The Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) urged parties to remain patient and warned against premature declarations, emphasizing that only verified tallies would be final.

On Sept. 24, before the MEC released official results, Chakwera addressed the nation in a calm televised speech. “It is only right that I concede defeat out of respect for your will as citizens and out of respect for the constitution,” he said. “It was clear that my rival Peter Mutharika has an insurmountable lead over me.” He pledged a peaceful transfer of power, a moment widely hailed as a testament to Malawi’s democratic maturity. Later that day, the MEC confirmed Mutharika’s victory with 56.8 percent of the vote, compared with Chakwera’s 33 percent. Celebrations erupted across Blantyre and Lilongwe as DPP supporters waved party flags, sang campaign songs, and lit fireworks that illuminated the night sky. Regional observer missions from SADC and COMESA praised the process, calling the concession a “model for peaceful democratic transitions.”

Mutharika returns to office facing a daunting set of challenges. Inflation remains above 20 percent, food insecurity is widespread, and the kwacha currency remains under pressure. Nearly 70 percent of Malawians live below the poverty line, and recurring climate disasters continue to threaten corn harvests. His first term was marked by infrastructure development and power projects but also accusations of cronyism. Analysts say his success this time will depend on whether he can pair economic recovery with institutional reform. His cabinet appointments will be closely scrutinized for signs of a leaner; more technocratic team focused on fiscal discipline and climate adaptation.

Civil society organizations are already pressing for stronger social protections, better procurement oversight, and a continued commitment to judicial independence and MEC autonomy. The expectations are high, and so are the stakes. Mutharika’s return is both familiar and fraught — a second chance shadowed by a demand for results. The size of his mandate gives him room to act, but it also magnifies the cost of failure.

For a nation that has repeatedly surprised the world, first by annulling a flawed election, now by orchestrating a peaceful democratic handover, Malawi’s next chapter will test whether its institutions can turn popular will into tangible progress. If Mutharika can stabilize the economy, restore confidence in governance, and protect the country from climate shocks, his comeback may mark a turning point. If he falters, Malawi’s democracy may soon face its next reckoning.

By Marina Chauffaille