The election pits incumbent President Lazarus Chakwera of the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) against former President Peter Mutharika of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), alongside 15 other candidates in what has become one of the continent's most closely watched electoral contest.
Opposition ranks have been weakened by the exclusion of key figures, including former president Laurent Gbagbo and ex-Credit Suisse chief Tidjane Thiam, whose disqualifications triggered protests in Abidjan and calls for a more inclusive process.
The Ghana Refugee Board’s Executive Secretary, Tetteh Padi, confirmed the influx, noting that the asylum seekers believe the current political tension in their home country "could get worse".
As the D-day approaches, two candidates have emerged to contest the seat as NPP seeks to bolster its paltry parliamentary numbers and the NDC seeks to increase its war chest of two-thirds parliamentary seats.
The vote will be held without the participation of leading opposition party CHADEMA, which was disqualified in April after failing to sign the electoral code of conduct as part of its call for electoral reforms.
The Electoral Commission has confirmed that 17 presidential candidates have been cleared to contest.
Take Voters' Compass
