16/09/2025
Malawi Elections, A Test of Democracy Next Door
Zambians are watching with keen interest as its little neighbour, Malawi, heads to the polls today in what promises to be one of the most fascinating elections in the region. Over 7.2 million registered voters are choosing not only their President but also 229 Members of Parliament and 509 councillors, all under Malawi’s relatively new 50 + 1 rule, which requires a candidate to secure more than half of the vote to avoid a runoff.
What makes this election extraordinary is the cast of characters. Incumbent President Lazarus Chakwera, who swept to power in 2020 after Malawi’s historic court-ordered re-run, now faces off against none other than his predecessor, Peter Mutharika. Adding to the intrigue, two former presidents, Mutharika and Joyce Banda, are back in the race, each hoping to reclaim the top seat. To complicate matters further, Chakwera’s own Vice President, Michael Usi has also thrown his hat into the ring.
Just imagine that: a current President, his deputy, and two former Heads of State competing openly in the same election. It is a remarkable display of democratic tolerance and political resilience. For observers in Zambia and across Africa, it is both admirable and instructive.
But beneath this democratic vibrancy lies a deep undercurrent of public frustration. Malawians are voting against the backdrop of prolonged fuel shortages and the soaring cost of living. These everyday struggles have left many cynical about whether their vote will translate into real change. As one Lilongwe trader recently remarked, “We keep voting, but bread and paraffin remain expensive.”
Still, the numbers tell their own story. Of the 7,203,390 registered voters, more than 4.1 million are women, underscoring the potential influence of female voters in shaping Malawi’s future.
This election is also about generational expectations. Younger Malawians, many of whom face joblessness and climate-related challenges like floods and drought, are eager for leaders who can move beyond political rivalries and deliver tangible results.
For the region, the stakes are equally high. Malawi’s ability to hold a peaceful, credible election strengthens Southern Africa’s democratic credentials. For Zambians, who have themselves recently experienced a change of power at the ballot box, the Malawian election is both a reminder and a mirror: democracy is fragile, but it can also be robust when citizens guard it jealously.
As the campaign dust settles, the real test begins. Will Malawians vote for continuity under Chakwera, return to Mutharika’s era, or embrace a different alternative altogether?
One thing is certain: Today, the Warm Heart of Africa is once again reminding us that democracy, though noisy and imperfect, remains the most powerful tool for the people to choose their destiny.
We at Kopala wish our Malawian brothers and sisters a peaceful, free, and fair election. May the people’s choice prevail.
