Malawi Election 2025: Economic Woes Cast Shadow Over Presidential Poll Results

Malawi Election 2025: Voters Await Results in Presidential Poll Dominated by Economic Woes LILONGWE, MALAWI - The Malawian people waited with bated breath as polls closed on Tuesday, eager to know who would be their next president. The election, dominated by economic woes, saw thousands of voters queue outside polling stations, hoping to effect change in a country struggling to recover from financial troubles. According to Reuters, the two clear front-runners were President Lazarus Chakwera and former leader Peter Mutharika, both of whom had pledged to fix Malawi's economy. Chakwera, who was seeking re-election for a second term, promised to address the country's economic challenges, while Mutharika vowed to bring stability and growth. "I want to change this government," said Ettah Nyasulu, a 28-year-old waitress, as she cast her vote. "I want young people to be in good jobs." Her sentiments were echoed by many Malawians who felt that the current administration had failed to deliver on its promises. The election was marked by a high turnout, with some areas still voting due to delays in polling. The country's electoral commission reported that no candidate had secured more than half of the votes, meaning that a run-off between the top two contenders would be necessary if no clear winner emerged. Malawi has been struggling with economic woes for years, including high inflation and unemployment rates. The country's economy has been heavily reliant on foreign aid, which has led to concerns about its long-term sustainability. In his campaign, Chakwera promised to diversify the economy and reduce dependence on foreign aid. Mutharika, on the other hand, vowed to bring in new investment and create jobs. The election was also notable for the number of candidates vying for the top spot, with 17 contenders vying for the presidency. However, Chakwera and Mutharika were widely seen as the frontrunners due to their strong campaign messages and widespread support. As the country waits for the results, many Malawians are holding their breath, hoping that the next president will be able to deliver on his promises and bring much-needed change to the country. The electoral commission has promised to announce the results as soon as possible, but it is unclear when this will happen. In a statement, the electoral commission said: "We urge all Malawians to remain calm and patient as we count the votes. We are committed to ensuring that the process is free and fair." As the nation waits with bated breath for the outcome of the election, one thing is clear: the next president will face significant challenges in addressing Malawi's economic woes and bringing stability to the country. *Reporting by Bbc.*