#MalawiDecides2025: Malawians must prepare for Presidential re-run

By Falles Kamanga

BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-Some electoral experts say Malawians should prepare for a run-off election after it has become clear that no candidate will ammass the 50+1 threshold needed to win the Presidency.

Almost all tally centres by ruling Malawi Congress Party, Democratic Progressive Party, UTM and independent stakeholders show a neck to neck encounter between President Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera and former leader Professor Arthur Mutharika.

In all the outcomes, President Chakwera is hovering between 47 and 49 percent while Mutharika ranks around 43 and 45 percentage points.

“Malawians will vote again, that is a fact. The two top candidates must brace themselves for another grueling campaign trail over the next 60 days. Their strength has become almost equal in this election,” says a political scientist affiliated to academic institutions such as Catholic University of Malawi, Makerere University, University of Zimbabwe and Rhodes University.

Since Malawians cast their vote on Tuesday September 16, there has been uncertainty on who is in the lead with both MCP and DPP claiming victory.

“The two parties are wrong. Celebrating immaturely only exposes their unreadiness to accept the outcome. They should avoid taking such a dangerous path before Malawi Electoral Commission determines the winner,” he say.

If indeed electoral experts’ views are to hold, this will be the first time Malawi will use the 50%+1 rule in picking a President.

In 2020, the first election to use this procedure, President Chakwera won with around 58 percent of valid votes cast.

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