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 Malawiportal |
General elections are scheduled to be held in Malawi on 16 September 2025 to elect the president, the 229 [2] -members of the National Assembly and local government councillors. [3]
The 2025 elections will be the second conducted under the 50 + 1 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. [4]
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. [5]
According to the Malawi Electoral Commission, 7.2 million voters were enrolled after the three registration phases, with women constituting 57 % of the roll. [6]
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]
Civil society and media advocates like MISA Malawi have called for unrestricted press freedom and safety for journalists, citing prior instances of intimidation during electoral periods. [22]
The Malawi Electoral Commission has 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. [23]
A poll conducted by IPOR Malawi in July 2025 showed that 43% of respondents expected Peter Mutharika to win the election, while 26% expected Lazarus Chakwera to win. [24]
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