Malawi, a nation long regarded as a beacon of democratic stability in southern Africa, now finds itself gripped by uncertainty and tension as the results of its closely contested presidential election remain shrouded in silence. The country, which went to the polls on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, is witnessing mounting anxiety as both major parties—those of incumbent President Lazarus Chakwera and his predecessor Peter Mutharika—have prematurely claimed victory, even as the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) has yet to announce official results.
According to the Associated Press, the MEC reported that more than 99% of the votes had been counted by September 18, but it insisted that no results would be released until the entire process was complete. "The commission will not hurry the results management process just because some political party leaders and candidates are piling up pressure," stated Justice Annabel Mtalimanja, the MEC chairperson. Her remarks came as both the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) and Mutharika’s Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) held separate press briefings, each declaring their candidate the winner and further inflaming public anticipation.
The stakes could hardly be higher. The election, which also included votes for the makeup of Parliament and over 500 local government representatives, is expected to determine the direction of a country of 21 million struggling through an economic crisis. Malawi’s kwacha has depreciated by a staggering 70% since Chakwera’s ascent to the presidency in 2020, and inflation rates have soared above 30%, as reported by private broadcaster Zodiak Television. Fuel shortages, surging food prices, and a severe decline in currency stability have left ordinary Malawians frustrated and desperate for change.
As the official silence drags on, the void has been filled by unofficial tallies and speculation. Zodiak Television’s dashboard figures, widely circulated on social media, show Mutharika leading with 1,293,564 votes—more than double Chakwera’s 628,440. While these numbers have not been validated by the MEC, they have nonetheless raised hopes among Mutharika’s supporters of a dramatic political comeback, five years after his controversial loss to Chakwera. Mutharika, now 85, previously served as president from 2014 until 2020, when a court-ordered election redo propelled Chakwera to power.
Other candidates have played smaller roles in the contest. Dalitso Kabambe, former Reserve Bank governor running under the UTM party, reportedly garnered 108,348 votes. Former president Joyce Banda and Atupele Muluzi trailed with 40,850 and 31,527 votes, respectively. However, the real battle has remained a two-horse race between Chakwera and Mutharika, both of whom have insisted on their victory—much to the chagrin of the electoral commission.
The MEC has been unequivocal in its warnings. On September 19, chairperson Annabel Mtalimanja again cautioned political parties not to declare victory before official results are released. "Only the commission is mandated to release results," she emphasized at a press conference, as reported by the BBC. The commission, she said, would announce the outcome only after all votes had been tallied and verified, a process designed to avoid the legal challenges that marred the 2019 election. That year, the highest court annulled Mutharika’s initial victory due to widespread irregularities, leading to the 2020 re-run and Chakwera’s subsequent win.
Yet, the MEC’s focus on procedural integrity has done little to calm the nerves of a nation on edge. Its insistence on withholding results until all physical polling station records are received from district councils has been met with suspicion and frustration. Many Malawians, weary from years of economic hardship, now find themselves glued to their smartphones, seeking updates and clarity in a sea of rumors and unofficial figures. The delay, stretching into a third day, has left the country "perched precariously on the brink of an information crisis," as one private media outlet put it.
The international community is watching with concern, mindful of Africa’s troubled history of electoral disputes. The specter of violence and unrest, seen in Kenya and Zimbabwe during past elections, looms large over Malawi, even as there is no direct evidence of foul play. The MEC’s silence, however, has created an environment ripe for speculation and mistrust, threatening to undermine the credibility of the country’s democratic institutions.
Adding to the political drama are internal divisions within the ruling Malawi Congress Party. On September 19, Silvester Ayuba James, riding an apparent victory in Nkhotakota Central (pending official confirmation), called for the resignation of MCP Secretary General Richard Chimwendo Banda. In a candid Facebook post, James accused Banda of presiding over "chaotic leadership" during the party’s primary elections, which he said led to damaging divisions and electoral losses. "Because of one person who felt owns the party, our own running mate was forced to contest as an independent. And now, in Mzimba Central, the very candidate we were pushed to support has lost embarrassingly," James wrote. He insisted that Banda’s resignation was necessary to restore confidence in the party, vowing to continue his campaign for change regardless of the presidential outcome.
James’s critique highlights a broader crisis of confidence within Malawi’s political establishment. As he put it, "It’s about the future of the party that I love the most. It’s about the people that we have to serve who love the party." His call for accountability and internal reform echoes the wider demand for transparency and responsible governance at the national level.
Underpinning all these tensions is the simple but profound right of Malawians to be informed about their electoral choices. The MEC is required by law to declare the results within seven days of polling stations closing, but as the days tick by, patience is wearing thin. The commission’s latest communication has focused on procedural complaints, particularly regarding campaign handouts, rather than addressing the urgent need for clarity about the vote count.
Should no candidate secure more than 50% of the vote, a runoff election will be required—a prospect that could further prolong the uncertainty. For now, Malawi stands at a crossroads. Will the MEC’s commitment to accuracy and due process be enough to preserve public trust, or will the prolonged silence erode the democratic gains of recent years?
As the nation waits, the tension in the air is palpable. The outcome of this election—whenever it is finally announced—will not only determine the country’s leadership but also test the resilience of Malawi’s democracy and its people’s faith in the system. For a country battered by economic woes and political intrigue, the hope is that transparency and accountability will ultimately prevail.