LILONGWE, MALAWI – Voters in Malawi head to the polls on Tuesday for what could be one of the most consequential elections in the country’s democratic history. The Malawi election pits two political heavyweights — incumbent President Lazarus Chakwera and former President Peter Mutharika — in a high-stakes showdown that may require a second round to decide the winner.
With rising public dissatisfaction over economic stagnation and allegations of corruption, the political atmosphere is tense. But a third candidate — Dalitso Kabambe, a former Reserve Bank governor and first-time presidential contender — is quietly reshaping the narrative. Though trailing in the polls, Kabambe could become the deciding factor if no candidate secures an outright majority in the first round.
President Lazarus Chakwera, 70, is running on a platform of continuity, with his campaign slogan urging Malawians to “Not Stop the Progress” made during his first term. A former evangelical pastor turned politician, Chakwera first rose to power in 2020, following a historic court-ordered rerun of the 2019 Malawi election — infamously dubbed the “Tippex Election” due to allegations that correction fluid was used to tamper with vote counts.
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Chakwera, who leads the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) — the country’s oldest political party — won that rerun with 59% of the vote, defeating Mutharika. The result was hailed as a major win for democracy in Africa. However, his administration has since been criticized for failing to curb corruption, mismanaging the economy, and not delivering on promises of inclusive growth.
While Chakwera has overseen infrastructure developments including roads, hospitals, and schools, climate-linked disasters and rising inflation have overshadowed much of his presidency. Critics argue that his inclusive rhetoric has not translated into meaningful reforms.
Born in a rural village without electricity or running water, Chakwera earned degrees in philosophy and theology from institutions in Malawi, South Africa, and the United States. Despite his charismatic leadership style and strong oratory, his inability to fully address economic instability and job creation may cost him crucial votes.
At 85, Peter Mutharika is making a dramatic political comeback. The reserved former president, who led Malawi from 2014 to 2020, is running on a platform promising a “return to proven leadership.” Mutharika, a former law professor with degrees from the University of London and Yale, has focused his campaign on economic revival and institutional reform.
During his first term, Mutharika’s government was plagued by food insecurity, rising debt, and multiple corruption scandals. Yet he still commands a loyal base, particularly in the southern region, where many voters believe he is better equipped to manage the economy.
Mutharika’s career in public service began when he returned to Malawi in the early 2000s to support his brother, the late President Bingu wa Mutharika. He later held key cabinet roles before being elected president in 2014. However, his tenure ended in controversy, culminating in the 2019 election scandal and his defeat in the 2020 rerun.
Still, Mutharika claims he has returned out of duty. “This country is in big trouble,” he said at a recent campaign rally. “I agreed to return because I want to change the way the country is run.”
Amid the battle between two presidents, Dalitso Kabambe, 51, is emerging as a potential kingmaker in the Malawi election. A former governor of the Reserve Bank of Malawi from 2017 to 2020, Kabambe has built his campaign around his reputation as a technocrat with deep economic expertise.
With a PhD in Development Economics from the University of London and over two decades in public finance, Kabambe presents himself as a fresh, results-driven alternative. He advocates for decentralised governance, stronger public-private partnerships, and diversification of Malawi’s agricultural and manufacturing sectors.
Kabambe initially aligned with the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) before defecting to the United Transformation Movement (UTM), a move that some see as politically strategic. Though polls place him a distant third, his support among business elites and civil servants gives him leverage, especially if the vote heads to a second round.
However, Kabambe’s image has been clouded by allegations of money laundering and corruption during his time at the Reserve Bank — accusations he strongly denies.
With three high-profile candidates dividing the electorate, many analysts believe that the Malawi election is unlikely to produce an outright winner in the first round. A runoff would mark only the second time in Malawi’s history that a presidential vote goes to a second round — a scenario that could give Kabambe a pivotal role in deciding the next president.
As Malawi prepares for a critical vote, the international community is closely watching. The 2024 election is not just a test of leadership but also of the country’s democratic resilience. Will Malawians choose continuity, a return to the past, or a technocratic alternative?
Source- EWN
