Malawi’s former president, Peter Mutharika, has taken an early lead in the country’s presidential election, according to provisional results from nine of 36 voting councils. The 85-year-old former law professor has secured approximately 51% of counted votes, while incumbent President Lazarus Chakwera trails with nearly 39%. The vote occurs amid significant economic challenges under Chakwera’s rule, with inflation remaining above 20% for three consecutive years and recent climate-related disasters devastating agricultural production. Meanwhile, Mutharika, who was president between 2014 and 2020, is credited with infrastructure gains and lower inflation, though his administration was accused of cronyism. The election commission has cautioned both candidates against premature victory declarations as it carefully verifies results. The caution is warranted, given the nation’s constitutional court annulled Mutharika’s 2019 win due to irregularities.
Reuters
