Malawi heads to the polls Tuesday as the country battles high costs of living and fuel shortages.

The incumbent president, 70-year-old Lazarus Chakwera, is seeking a second term. Fifteen others are running alongside the president, however, analysts see a horse race between the two top contenders. 

Chakwera, who is also a pastor, is facing off against 85-year-old law professor Peter Mutharika. Chakwera is a member of the right-wing Malawi Congress Party, whereas Mutharika belongs to the big tent Democratic Progressive Party.

Both parties have come under fire for allegations of corruption.

What do Malawians want?

Lindani Kitchini, 47, wants to give Chakwera another 5 years. "We are saying give him another chance and we'll take the country to another level. Problems are always there in countries. We've seen notable developments," he told AFP.

In 2019, an election won by incumbent Mutharika was annulled by a court. After the rerun, Chakwera won the elections. Now, voters are left with a choice between two disappointments, according to analyst Chris Nhlane.

Chakwera, whose party led the country to independence from British rule, wants to finish "what we started.” 

But for some young people, it is just another day. "I would rather go to work than go to vote," a 30-year-old entrepreneur told AFP.

There is some nostalgia, however, for Mutharika, although some are concerned about his age. Mutharika served as president from May 2014 to June 2020. 

"I will vote for APM (Mutharika) because he knows how to manage the economy and has Malawians' welfare at heart," Thula Jere told AFP.

If no contestant wins more than 50% of the vote, there will be another round of elections. Some analysts think that none of the main contenders can get 50% of the votes.

Malawi faces significant challenges due to climate change, food insecurity

Climate change is impacting Malawi's agriculture dependent economy. A devastating cyclone in 2023 and drought further pushed Malawi into economic instability.  According to the World Bank, Malawi is one of the poorest countries in the world. Around 70% of the population live in poverty.

Food security is at the heart of this election because Malawi is landlocked and more than 80% of people live in rural communities, relying on agriculture as a source of livelihood. In 2025, Inflation reached a 27% high.

Edited by Sean Sinico