The Current Situation

Malawi is in a state of suspense as it awaits the official results of its presidential election, held on tuesday, May 21, 2024. Both incumbent President Lazarus⁣ Chakwera and his predecessor,​ Peter Mutharika, have claimed victory, raising tensions as the Malawi Electoral Commission⁤ (MEC) has yet⁢ to release any official figures.

According to a statement ‍by MEC spokesperson, Modesta Mtalimanja, on Thursday, May 23, only the commission is authorized to ⁣announce the results. This follows the completion of nearly all vote‌ counting. The MEC is prioritizing a ⁢thorough‌ tallying and verification⁣ process to prevent challenges to the final outcome, mirroring concerns from the 2019‌ election.

A History of Contested Elections

Malawi’s electoral history has been fraught wiht controversy. The 2019 presidential election was annulled by the Constitutional Court due to widespread irregularities as⁢ reported by Reuters. This ​landmark ​decision led to a re-run election in 2020.

Lazarus Chakwera won the 2020 re-run election by a critically important margin,unseating Peter Mutharika and becoming President. The BBC reported that Chakwera secured 58.57% of the vote, while ⁤Mutharika received 38.59%.

Peter Mutharika,now 85,is attempting a political comeback,hoping to regain the presidency he lost ​in 2020.

Economic Crisis Fuels ⁣the Election

The 2024 ⁤election campaign was ⁣heavily influenced by Malawi’s worsening economic ‌crisis. The country is ⁤experiencing severe shortages⁢ of fuel and foreign currency, contributing to soaring ​inflation.Al Jazeera reported that the‍ official inflation ⁣rate is ​nearing 30%.

The economic ⁢hardship is acutely felt ⁣by ordinary ‌malawians. reports indicate that basic goods like a frozen chicken in Lilongwe can cost around $20 (approximately £15), while a significant portion of the population lives on $2 or less per day. This economic pressure has likely played a role in voter sentiment.

The Path to Victory

To win the presidency,a candidate must secure more than 50%⁤ of the vote. If no​ candidate achieves this threshold, a run-off election ‌will be held. The MEC’s careful verification process is intended to ensure the legitimacy of the results and avoid‌ a repeat of the 2019 controversy.

Beyond the Presidency: Parliamentary and Local Elections

Along with the presidential election, ⁢Malawians also voted in parliamentary and⁤ local elections. The outcomes of these elections will shape the composition of the government and local administrations, ⁢impacting policy implementation and‌ service delivery.