By: Peter Agbesi Adivor
Malawians will head to the polls on
Tuesday, 16 September 2025 for the country’s tripartite general elections to
elect a President, 229 Members of Parliament (MPs), and 509 Local Government councilors.
According to Malawi Electoral Commission
(MEC), 7,203,390 Malawians are registered to vote, with women making up 57.1%
of the electorate.
Electoral Context
The 2025 elections will be held
under new electoral boundaries. This follows a nationwide delimitation exercise
by MEC which saw constituencies increased from 193 to 229, and wards from 462
to 509.
The presidential contest will use
the 50%+1 rule, introduced after the 2020 Constitutional Court ruling that
annulled the 2019 election. A candidate must secure an absolute majority of
valid votes cast to win, otherwise a run-off election will be held within 30
days.
Who are the contenders?
The Electoral Commission has
confirmed that 17 presidential candidates have been cleared to contest. Among
them are incumbent President Lazarus Chakwera of the Malawi Congress Party
(MCP), who is seeking a second term, and former President Peter Mutharika of
the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).
Also in the race are former
president Joyce Banda (People’s Party), former governor of the Reserve Bank of
Malawi Dalitso Kabambe (UTM Party), former minister Atupele Muluzi (United
Democratic Front), Frank Mwenifumbo of National Development Party, incumbent Vice-President
Michael Usi (Odya Zake Alibe Mlandu), Jordan Sauti of Patriotic Citizens Party,
Akwame Bandawe of (Anyamata, Atsikana, Azimayi), Kondwani Nankhumwa of People’s
Development Party, and Kamuzu Chibambo (People’s Transformation Party)
Other Contenders include independents
like Thokozani Banda, Adil Chilungo, Smart Swira, Milward Tobias, Phunziro
Mvula, and Cosmas Chipojola.
How will voting work?
Voting remains manual using paper ballots, but biometric voter registration devices will be used for voter identification and to support parallel electronic transmission of results, alongside physical tally sheets.
Why it matters
Malawi’s economy faces persistent
challenges including rising inflation, debt distress, and forex shortages which
are at the centre of campaign narratives. Governance, corruption, and service
delivery are also major concerns.
With new boundaries, a large
field of presidential contenders, and the precedent of the 2020 court-ordered
re-run still fresh, the credibility and management of the 2025 vote will be
decisive for Malawi’s democratic trajectory.
When will results be declared
Under the Presidential,
Parliamentary and Local Government Elections Act, 2023, the Malawi Electoral
Commission (MEC) must announce the presidential results within 8 days of
polling day, unless otherwise directed by a court.
Counting of ballots will commence immediately after voting on September 16 with final declaration of results on 24th September.
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