Malawi Election 2025: Ex-President Peter Mutharika Takes Clear Lead in Vote Count

Former Malawi President Peter Mutharika has taken a commanding lead in the country’s 2025 presidential election, with two-thirds of districts reporting provisional results.

The 85-year-old, who previously ruled Malawi from 2014 to 2020, has so far secured around 66% of valid votes, leaving incumbent President Lazarus Chakwera, 70, trailing with about 24%.

Significantly, results show Mutharika winning in several areas traditionally considered Chakwera strongholds, including the capital Lilongwe and Nkhotakota.

However, Chakwera’s campaign team has expressed confidence that results from the remaining districts could boost his tally and potentially force a run-off election. Under Malawi’s constitution, a candidate must win more than 50% of the vote to avoid a second round.

The Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) has until the end of Wednesday to announce the final outcome. At least two of the 12 districts yet to declare results have large voting populations, including rural Lilongwe and Dedza, where Chakwera is expected to perform strongly.

Meanwhile, results from two districts favorable to Mutharika have been temporarily withheld by the MEC as part of a verification process.

In a statement, the commission reiterated its commitment to ensuring transparency, accuracy, and credibility, stressing that all tally sheets are being carefully reviewed.

The caution comes after Malawi’s Constitutional Court annulled Mutharika’s 2019 election victory over widespread irregularities, a landmark decision that led to a historic re-run in 2020, won decisively by Chakwera.

But during Chakwera’s presidency, Malawi has faced worsening economic challenges, including high inflation, fuel and food shortages, and persistent power cuts, which analysts believe may have weakened his support base.

The final results are eagerly awaited, with both camps expressing optimism as the decisive announcement approaches.

BBC