2025 Malawian general election

Last updated

2025 Malawian general election
Flag of Malawi.svg
16 September 2025
Presidential election
  2020
Registered7,203,390 [1]
  Secretary Blinken Meets With Malawian President Lazarus Chakwera (52389622307) (cropped).jpg Arthur Peter Mutharika 2014 (cropped).jpg
UTM
Candidate Lazarus Chakwera Peter Mutharika Dalitso Kabambe
Party MCP DPP UTM

Incumbent President

Lazarus Chakwera
Malawi Congress Party



Legislative election
  2019

All 229 seats in the National Assembly
115 seats needed for a majority
PartyLeaderLast election
DPP Peter Mutharika 62
MCP Lazarus Chakwera 55
UDF Atupele Muluzi 10
PP Joyce Banda 5
UTM Dalitso Kabambe 4
AFORD Enoch Chihana 1
Independents 55
This lists parties that won seats. See the complete results below.

General elections were held in Malawi on 16 September 2025 to elect the President, the 229 members of the National Assembly and 509 local government councillors. [2]

Contents

Background

The election was the second conducted under the two-round constitutional threshold introduced after the annulment of the 2019 Malawian general election and the subsequent fresh presidential election the following year that brought Lazarus Chakwera to power. In July 2024, the United Transformation Movement (UTM) withdrew from the governing Tonse Alliance, leaving the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) to contest the elections on its own. [3]

Electoral system

The President of Malawi is elected using a two-round system. Should no candidate secure an absolute majority in the first round, a run-off is held within 30 days. Members of the National Assembly are elected in single-member constituencies by first-past-the-post voting. [4]

According to the Malawi Electoral Commission, 7.2 million voters were enrolled after the three registration phases, with women constituting 57% of the electorate. [5] At 65%, the number of eligible voters who enrolled was less from the 80% recorded in 2019. [6]

Parties and alliances

Candidates

Declared

Campaign

The official campaign period began on 14 July 2025 at the Bingu International Conference Centre (BICC) in Lilongwe, with activities continuing through 14 September, two days before polling on 16 September 2025, according to the MEC election calendar. [21]

Presidential debates

Atupele Muluzi, Dalitso Kabambe, and Joyce Banda during the presidential debate. 21 August 2025 Malawi Presidential Debate 2025.png
Atupele Muluzi, Dalitso Kabambe, and Joyce Banda during the presidential debate. 21 August 2025

The Presidential Debates Taskforce, chaired by MISA Malawi, organised debates ahead of the 2025 general election with support from the National Democratic Institute. The first debate was held on 21 August 2025 at the BICC and broadcast nationally. [22] A second debate was rescheduled to 9 September 2025. Some major candidates, including President Lazarus Chakwera and former President Peter Mutharika, did not participate. [23]

Peace initiative by the Public Affairs Committee

On 8 September 2025, the Public Affairs Committee (PAC) held a National Day of Prayers and Peace Declaration signing at the BICC in Lilongwe. The event brought together several presidential candidates, including President Lazarus Chakwera, Joyce Banda, Atupele Muluzi, and Dalitso Kabambe, who pledged to promote peaceful elections. [24]

The gathering was marked by gestures of unity, though notable absentees included Peter Mutharika and Michael Usi, whose absence drew criticism. [25] [26] PAC Chairperson, Monsignor Patrick Thawale, stressed that the declaration would help manage disputes during and after the elections. [27]

Opinion polls

Opinion polling was conducted by the Institute of Public Opinion Research (IPOR Malawi) ahead of the election. The survey results, including those from July and August 2025, are summarised in the table below.

Polling firmFieldwork dateSample

size

Mutharika Chakwera Kabambe Muluzi Banda UndecidedNoneLead
2025 general election 16 September 2025
IPOR [28] [29] 27 August 202541316321110
IPOR [30] 20 July 2025432652112617
2020 presidential election 23 June 20204,445,69939.9259.3419.42

Another poll conducted by Afrobarometer in August 2024 showed that 43% of respondents supported the Democratic Progressive Party, 29% the Malawi Congress Party, 7% the United Transformation Movement, and 2% the United Democratic Front. [31]

Conduct

Civil society and media advocates such as MISA Malawi have called for unrestricted press freedom and safety for journalists, citing prior instances of intimidation during electoral periods. [32] In June 2025, a rally calling for the resignation of top officials of the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) was attacked by masked, machete-wielding men. [33] [34]

MEC engaged six international observer missions, undertaken gender‑sensitive and risk‑management training, and facilitated party briefings on voter roll verification to reinforce preparedness and credibility. [35]

On 29 August 2025, MEC completed the accreditation of election observers for the 16 September general election, approving 19 international observers and 40 local observers. [36]

MEC officials and other stakeholders during dry run test exercise at Chiuzila Primary School in Lilongwe. 27 August 2025 Mec dry run test 2025.jpg
MEC officials and other stakeholders during dry run test exercise at Chiuzila Primary School in Lilongwe. 27 August 2025

On 27 August 2025, MEC conducted a dry-run of its Results Management System (RMS) ahead of the general election. The exercise, held at the national tally centre in Lilongwe and in selected constituencies, aimed to test the speed, accuracy, and security of results transmission. [37] The test revealed some challenges, including network glitches in Blantyre and Lilongwe that delayed the transmission of results. MEC acknowledged the issues but stated that the system’s integrity remained intact and pledged to resolve the problems before polling day. [38]

Results management and observer concerns

In their preliminary report, international and regional observer missions, including the European Union and Southern African Development Community, urged MEC to ensure transparency in the management of election results. The missions, along with several civil society groups, expressed concern about delays in publishing partial results and called for safeguarding election data and materials against tampering or loss. [39] [40]

On 18 September 2025, some political party representatives raised concerns after tally kits from districts including Nkhata Bay, Luchenza, and Kasungu arrived at the national tally centre in Lilongwe without proper security seals. The handover was briefly halted, with MEC pledging to investigate; it later resumed after parties received printouts from the devices for verification. [41]

On 21 September, the MEC chairperson Annabel Mtalimanja cautioned political parties against making unverified claims of victory during the tallying process, saying that premature declarations can erode public trust and threaten national peace. [42]

Irregularities and investigations

On 19 September, the MCP said it had found evidence of irregularities in the vote count in 13 of Malawi's 28 districts. Separately, police arrested eight election data entry clerks in the Lilongwe area on suspicion of "manipulating data". [43] An investigation was also launched into the alleged suicide attempt of an election returning officer who had offered bribes in exchange for manipulating the election results. Four domestic broadcasters also stopped live dashboards of their unofficial voting tallies without explanation that same day. [44]

On 20 September, United Democratic Front (UDF) president and presidential candidate Atupele Muluzi claimed there was vote‐rigging in the party’s stronghold districts, citing Mangochi and Balaka as some of the areas where serious irregularities occurred. He also alleged that many UDF monitors were directed to leave polling centers and told to return only after results had already been tallied in order to sign the official record sheets. He called for investigations into the matter and urged that all votes cast be properly accounted for. [45]

Civil society organisations, through the Civil Society Elections Integrity Forum (CSEIF), on 20 September called for a speedy and transparent investigation into the recent arrests of electoral officials and clerks in Lilongwe Nkhoma Constituency. Separate inquiries were also reported in Mangochi, Chikwawa, Blantyre, Machinga, and Rumphi, highlighting the broader scope of concern. In a related incident, another presiding officer in Chikwawa allegedly attempted suicide after failing to reconcile manual and electronic tallies. Observers warned that unresolved issues across these cases could undermine public trust in the electoral process. [46]

On 21 September, MCP presidential runningmate Vitumbiko Mumba claimed during a press briefing that three men at Jenda roadblock had been following him for several days from the Mzuzu area with the intention of attacking him. However, Inspector General of Police Merlyn Yolamu stated that the police were not aware of the alleged incident. [47] In the same briefing, MCP spokesperson Jessie Kabwila also alleged that during vote counting in some polling centres, the party’s monitors were told to leave, with some reportedly being chased away and others injured.

Results

Initial results suggested that former President Peter Mutharika of the Democratic Progressive Party was leading in several areas, including the lakeshore districts of Nkhata Bay and Mangochi, in the presidential election. [48] [49] Official tallies were still awaited from the Malawi Electoral Commission. Despite this, both the MCP and the DPP claimed victory on 17 September. [50] From 19 September, the commission began releasing official results, starting with four councils, among them Luchenza municipality and Likoma. [51]

On 18 September 2025, independent presidential candidate Phunziro Mvula conceded defeat, stating that he accepted the outcome and pledged to run again in 2030. [52] The following day, Smart Swira also conceded defeat and urged Malawians to accept the results. [53] On 20 September, Kondwani Nankhumwa of the People's Development Party (PDP) and independent candidate Adil James Chilungo likewise conceded defeat, with Nankhumwa acknowledging that the preliminary results did not favour his party. [54] [55] On 21 September, UTM presidential candidate Dalitso Kabambe conceded defeat and congratulated Peter Mutharika and the DPP, saying unofficial results reflected the will of Malawians and urged a peaceful transfer of power. [56] These concessions were made before the commission had officially announced the winner of the presidential election.

President

CandidateRunning matePartyVotes%
Peter Mutharika Jane Ansah Democratic Progressive Party 2,022,87965.61
Lazarus Chakwera Vitumbiko Mumba Malawi Congress Party 732,57523.76
Dalitso Kabambe Matthews Mtumbuka United Transformation Movement 146,6644.76
Atupele Muluzi Dr. Rex Kalolo United Democratic Front 53,2811.73
Joyce Banda Khumbo Kachali Peoples Party 53,2251.73
Akwame BandaweAsiyatu AbuliAnyamata Atsikana Azimayi Party16,3130.53
Michael Usi Grace NazitwereOdya Zake Alibe Mlandu Party9,2380.30
Thokozani BandaVera KaludzuIndependent10,7830.35
Kamuzu ChibamboChris BullahPeople's Transformation Party8,4240.27
Adil ChilungoMary MwalukuwoIndependent4,3930.14
Cosmas ChipojolaMemory NavekoIndependent4,3720.14
Phunziro MvulaCydrack MkwandaIndependent5,6940.18
Frank MwenifumboChikondi MpokosaNational Development Party2,4350.08
Kondwani Nankhumwa Bertha NdebelePeople's Development Party9,6030.31
Jordan SautiTimothy KaenderaPatriotic Citizens Party1,0820.04
Smart SwiraJonathan MatongaIndependent1,0910.04
Milward TobiasHenry MdebweIndependent1,0410.03
Total3,083,093100.00
Valid votes3,083,09397.42
Invalid/blank votes81,5452.58
Total votes3,164,638100.00
Registered voters/turnout4,088,40777.41
Source: Malawi Electoral Commission [57]

Court rulings

On 22 September 2025, the High Court in Lilongwe dismissed an application by Madalitso Fred Kazombo (former MCP MP and former Deputy Speaker in the last parliament) seeking permission for a judicial review of the Malawi Electoral Commission’s conduct in relation to the elections. The case (Judicial Review Cause No. 61 of 2025), heard by Justice Violet Palikena Chipao, was dismissed on the grounds of procedural irregularities in the documents submitted; such as typographical errors, incorrect legal citations, unclear arguments and inconsistent facts. The court granted Kazombo liberty to refile with properly prepared documents. [58]

References

  1. "Final 2025 GE Voter Registration Statistics by Centre" (PDF). Malawi Electoral Commission. 13 July 2024. Retrieved 27 July 2025.
  2. "What is at stake in Malawi's elections?". BBC. 1 September 2025. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  3. "Fragments of opinion after UTM quit the Tonse Alliance". Malawi24. 13 July 2024. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
  4. "Malawi: Electoral system". Inter-Parliamentary Union. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
  5. "4 million women register to vote in 2025". The Nation. 24 December 2024. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
  6. "Malawians vote for president with their southern African nation gripped by economic turmoil". AP News. Retrieved 16 September 2025.
  7. "Fragments of opinion after UTM quit the Tonse Alliance". Malawi24. 13 July 2024. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
  8. "Malawi's main opposition endorses ex-president Mutharika to run in 2025". Reuters. 18 August 2024. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
  9. "Joyce Banda says Malawi needs a new vision". Nyasa Times. 23 June 2025. Retrieved 26 June 2025 via AllAfrica.
  10. "Atupele Muluzi accuses DPP of succession fears ahead of 2025 elections". Malawi24. 22 June 2025. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
  11. "Michael Usi eyes UTM presidency". Times Group. 21 October 2024. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
  12. "Analysis: Michael Usi's decision to withdraw from UTM's Elective Convention". Malawi24. 11 November 2024. Retrieved 31 July 2025.
  13. "Dalitso Kabambe wins landslide victory at UTM Convention". Malawi24. 18 November 2024. Retrieved 31 July 2025.
  14. "Chakwera secures MCP backing for 2025 race". Reuters. 9 August 2024. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
  15. "Malawi's main opposition endorses ex-president Mutharika to run in 2025". Reuters. 18 August 2024. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
  16. "I'm Back to Rescue Malawi" — Mutharika Declares as He Unveils Jane Ansah as Running Mate". Nyasatimes. 25 July 2025. Retrieved 30 July 2025.
  17. "Joyce Banda says Malawi needs a new vision". Nyasa Times. 23 June 2025. Retrieved 26 June 2025 via AllAfrica.
  18. "Former President Joyce Banda unveils her former Vice-President Khumbo Kachali as her running mate for the September 16 election". Malavi Express. 24 July 2025. Retrieved 26 July 2025.
  19. "Dalitso Kabambe Picks Mathews Mtumbuka as Running Mate Ahead of September 16 Presidential Poll". Malawi Freedom Network. 27 July 2025. Retrieved 31 July 2025.
  20. "I'm not backing anyone – Muluzi". Malawi24. 26 July 2025. Retrieved 31 July 2025.
  21. "Malawi's official campaign season begins as MEC opens 60-day window". Malawi24. 14 July 2025. Retrieved 5 August 2025.
  22. "Malawi's 2025 Presidential Debates: Dates, Parties and What to Expect". www.zodiakmalawi.com. Retrieved 3 September 2025.
  23. Mhone, Macmillan (21 August 2025). "Chakwera, APM shun presidential debate". Nation Online. Retrieved 3 September 2025.
  24. "Chakwera Leads Rivals in Smiles and Handshakes at Peace Prayers — But Usi and Mutharika Nowhere to Be Seen". Nyasa Times. 8 September 2025. Retrieved 9 September 2025.
  25. Njiragoma, Wycliffe (9 September 2025). "APM, others shun peace pact event". Nation Online. Retrieved 9 September 2025.
  26. "DPP and Odya Zake Humiliated Barred from Signing Peace Pact Because Their Leaders Didn't Show Up". Nyasa Times. 8 September 2025. Retrieved 9 September 2025.
  27. "Presidential Candidates Successfully Sign Peace Declaration-Crucial Step Towards 2025 General Elections". Public Affairs Committee. 10 September 2025. Retrieved 15 September 2025.
  28. PASUNGWI, JONATHAN (5 September 2025). "Race tightens". Nation Online. Retrieved 16 September 2025.
  29. "IPOR Poll: Chakwera Jumps to 31% (+5), Mutharika Slips to 41% (-2) as Opposition Vote Splits". Nyasa Times. 4 September 2025. Retrieved 16 September 2025.
  30. Njiragoma, Wycliffe (29 July 2025). "Ipor survey puts APM ahead, but short of hitting 50%+1". Nation Online. Retrieved 16 September 2025.
  31. "Survey result favours DPP". Times Group. 7 December 2024. Retrieved 12 August 2025.
  32. "MISA Malawi calls for free media ahead of 2025 Malawi elections". Misa Malawi. 3 May 2024. Retrieved 5 August 2025.
  33. "Malawi votes for next president as cost-of-living bites". BBC. 16 September 2025. Retrieved 16 September 2025.
  34. Singini, George (27 June 2025). "Police, MDF fail to protect demonstrators". Nation Online. Retrieved 16 September 2025.
  35. "MEC Engages Six Pre-Election Observer Missions Ahead of 2025 General Election". Malawi Electoral Commission. 24 June 2025. Retrieved 5 August 2025.
  36. "MEC accredits 19 international observers and 40 locals for September 16 general election". Maravi Express. Retrieved 18 September 2025.
  37. "MEC conducts results system dry run". Times Group. 28 August 2025. Retrieved 30 August 2025.
  38. "Network glitches mar MEC system test". Nation Publications Limited. 28 August 2025. Retrieved 30 August 2025.
  39. Njiragoma, Wycliffe (19 September 2025). "EU observers point out uneven playing field". Nation Online. Retrieved 19 September 2025.
  40. "Malawi election observers urge transparent election results management". Anadolu Ajansi. Retrieved 18 September 2025.
  41. Njiragoma, Wycliffe (19 September 2025). "Parties tussle over unsealed vote tally kits". Nation Online. Retrieved 19 September 2025.
  42. Njiragoma, Wycliffe (22 September 2025). "MEC cautions parties against victory claims". Nation Online. Retrieved 22 September 2025.
  43. "Malawi election result: Eight arrested for alleged electoral fraud". BBC. 20 September 2025. Retrieved 20 September 2025.
  44. "Malawi ruling party claims tampering in vote count". France 24. 20 September 2025. Retrieved 20 September 2025.
  45. "Atupele Muluzi claims vote rigging in stronghold districts". Malawi Voice. 20 September 2025. Retrieved 21 September 2025.
  46. Mwale, Joseph (21 September 2025). "CSOs demand speedy probe into electoral issues". Nation Online. Retrieved 21 September 2025.
  47. "Police IG ignorant of arrest in connection to Mumba's attack claim". Malawi Voice. 21 September 2025. Retrieved 22 September 2025.
  48. "Unofficial Results Show Considerable Lead for APM". Nyasa Times. 17 September 2025. Retrieved 17 September 2025.
  49. "Mutharika takes early lead as Malawi vote tallies trickle in". APAnews. 17 September 2025. Retrieved 18 September 2025.
  50. Gregory Gondwe (19 September 2025). "Parties of both main candidates claim Malawi election victory but results not yet announced". AP News. Retrieved 19 September 2025.
  51. Owolabi, Adekunle (20 September 2025). "Malawi Electoral Commission releases partial presidential results". Independent News Eswatini. Retrieved 20 September 2025.
  52. "Presidential Candidate Phunziro Mvula Concedes Defeat". Zodiak Malawi. Retrieved 20 September 2025.
  53. Naitha, Edgar (19 September 2025). "Smart Swira Becomes Second Presidential Candidate to Concede Defeat". Face of Malawi. Retrieved 20 September 2025.
  54. Richard, Mphatso Khutcha (20 September 2025). "Nankhumwa concedes defeat in 2025 presidential race". Malawi 24. Retrieved 20 September 2025.
  55. "Adil Chilungo accept defeat in 2025 presidential race". Malawi Voice. 20 September 2025. Retrieved 20 September 2025.
  56. PASUNGWI, JONATHAN (22 September 2025). "Kabambe congratulates APM, concedes defeat". Nation Online. Retrieved 22 September 2025.
  57. "MEC Stakeholders Update12". Malawi Electoral Commission. 22 September 2025. Retrieved 23 September 2025.
  58. Chiputula, Eric (23 September 2025). "Court dismisses Kazombo's judicial review application against MEC". Malawi 24. Retrieved 23 September 2025.