Former Malawian President Peter Mutharika is increasingly seen as the frontrunner to win the recent elections, where he faced off against incumbent President Lazarus Chakwera, who is seeking a second term.
According to Malawi’s Times Television, preliminary results suggest that Mutharika may have secured about 56% of the vote, although the full official tally has not yet been announced.
Figures released by the Malawi Electoral Commission showed Mutharika leading Chakwera in the votes counted so far. To win outright, a candidate must secure more than 50% of the vote; otherwise, a runoff is required.
A Longstanding Rivalry
Political analysts note that Mutharika, 85, who served as president from 2012 until 2020, posed a serious challenge to Chakwera, especially given that the election took place during a difficult period for the country. The vote was held on September 16, 2025.
The rivalry between the two dates back to 2019, when Malawi’s Constitutional Court nullified Mutharika’s victory due to widespread irregularities, including the use of correction fluid on ballot papers.
Contrasting Legacies
Chakwera, a former pastor, rose to power on promises to fight corruption, but his administration has since been criticized for allegedly fostering the very corruption it pledged to combat.
By contrast, Mutharika is credited with expanding infrastructure development between 2014 and 2020, though his tenure was also marked by accusations of nepotism and favoritism, which he denied.
Those controversies paved the way for Chakwera’s victory in the 2020 elections.Now, however, former President Peter Mutharika may be on the verge of reclaiming power.source:Igihe.com
