LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Just barely four days before Malawians go to general elections on September 16, International Institute for Research Development Africa (IIRD Africa) on Friday, released opinion poll survey that favours President Lazarus Chakwera as sole winner.
According to the survey President Chakwera with Malawi Congress Party (MCP) leads nationally with 56.5% (4.07 million votes), a positioning it as only party with a plausible path to a first-round victory.
The survey reveals that opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) holds second place 27.2% but its strength remains concentrated in the south where lower registration and opposition fragmentation limits its national ceiling.
The IIRD Africa polls report says UTM secures 6.6% consolidating youth and urban voters but lacks across rural areas and key region.
While others parties including UDF, People’s Party (PP), OZAM, PDP and independents collectively the survey says gather 8%, playing a spoiler role but not altering the three-party structure.
Presenting the survey in the capital Lilongwe, IIRD AFRICA lead team Dr Keneth Luweya says the 2025 general race is now a structured three-party contest with MCP enjoying a clear advantage due to its regional dominance, organisational reach and cross-demographic support.
According to Dr Luweya, the survey was conducted from August 11 to September 3, 2025.