Elections dominated by corruption-linked leaders

The people of Malawi are set to vote for their next leader, following a turbulent five years involving economic turmoil, natural disasters and the shock death of the nation's Vice-President, reports BBC News. Current President Lazarus Chakwera is vying for a second term, his main rival being Peter Mutharika, an octogenarian who has also held office once before. Transparency and fairness are key talking points ahead of the vote, given that the result of Malawi's 2019 Presidential election was overturned in the courts due to widespread irregularities. Polling day is 16 September 2025. The 7.2m registered voters will be taking part in Presidential, parliamentary and local elections. Among the 17 hopefuls there are two clear front-runners. Chakwera and Mutharika will square off against each other at the polls for the third time. Mutharika won in 2019, but that result was annulled. Chakwera won the re-run the following year. Chakwera's time in office has been marred by economic turmoil and allegations of corruption. The 70-year-old did, however, reintroduce train services in Malawi for the first time in over three decades. He has also overseen major road construction across the country. Mutharika, an 85-year-old former lawyer and law lecturer, led Malawi from 2014 to 2020. He is the brother of the late President Bingu wa Mutharika, who died in office in 2012. Like Chakwera, Mutharika is also burdened by corruption allegations and links to economic crises. However, his supporters would argue that the current high inflation rate (around 27%) is proof that Mutharika managed the economy better than his successor. Other contenders garnering attention are former President Joyce Banda (People's Party), current Vice-President Michael Usi (Odya Zake Alibe Mlandu) and former reserve bank governor Dalitso Kabambe (UTM).