Peter Mutharika Leads Malawi's Presidential Race Amid Election Tensions

Tue Sep 30 2025 05:00:39 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Former President Peter Mutharika has surged ahead in Malawi's presidential elections, securing 66% of the votes counted so far, while incumbent Lazarus Chakwera trails at 24%. As the Malawi Electoral Commission races against the clock to finalize results, allegations of irregularities have emerged from Chakwera's camp amidst a backdrop of economic distress.

In a dramatic turn of events in Malawi's presidential elections, former leader Peter Mutharika leads with 66% of the vote against current President Lazarus Chakwera, who has only garnered 24%. As both candidates await final results, reported irregularities from the Chakwera camp raise stakes. The Malawi Electoral Commission must finalize and announce results soon, while allegations of electoral malfeasance loom large.

Former President Peter Mutharika has taken a comfortable lead in the presidential race, with two-thirds of districts reporting provisional results. The 85-year-old Mutharika has captured around 66% of valid votes counted so far, while the incumbent, Lazarus Chakwera, 70, trails with about 24%.

Notably, Mutharika has made significant gains in traditionally Chakwera strongholds, including the capital, Lilongwe, and Nkhotakota. Despite the unfavorable results, Chakwera's campaign remains hopeful, asserting that as more results come in from other districts, his vote share may increase sufficiently to secure a run-off.

For a candidate to be declared the winner, a threshold of over 50% is required. The final results from last Tuesday's election are eagerly anticipated by Malawians, with the Malawi Electoral Commission set to announce by the end of Wednesday.

Results are still pending from at least two of the remaining districts, which have considerable registered voters. Chakwera's team expresses confidence in these areas, notably the rural outskirts of Lilongwe and Dedza, anticipating a more favorable outcome.

Caution remains as Mutharika's expected results from two districts are currently withheld for verification by the electoral commission, which emphasizes transparency and accuracy due to past irregularities that annulled Mutharika's 2019 victory.

Chakwera won a re-run election by a wide margin but has faced criticism as Malawi’s economy grapples with worsening inflation, fuel shortages, and enduring power cuts. Following the election, Chakwera's party described discovering irregularities and called for a physical audit of the results, though specifics were not disclosed.

In an unsettling development, police arrested eight data entry clerks for allegedly attempting to manipulate election outcomes, further intensifying the scrutiny surrounding the election process.