Malawi’s general elections on September 16, 2025, marked a defining moment in the nation’s democratic evolution. In a stunning reversal of fortunes, former President Peter Mutharika of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) reclaimed power with 56.8% of the vote, unseating the incumbent Lazarus Chakwera of the Malawi Congress Party (MCP), who secured approximately 33%. The verdict was very clear. Voters demanded change. Years of soaring inflation, fuel shortages, and a crippling cost-of-living crisis pushed economic concerns to the forefront, overshadowing other political debates. For many Malawians, the ballot box was a tool for accountability rather than loyalty.
Malawi’s journey to multi-party democracy has been anything but straightforward. After gaining independence from Britain in 1964, the country operated as a one-party state under Hastings Kamuzu Banda and the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) for nearly three decades. A referendum in 1993 overwhelmingly favoured multi-party politics, culminating in the first competitive elections in 1994, which were won by Bakili Muluzi of the United Democratic Front (UDF). Subsequent transitions included victories by Bingu wa Mutharika in 2004 and 2009 (who later founded the Democratic Progressive Party, DPP), the rise of Joyce Banda of the People’s Party (PP) in 2012, and Peter Mutharika’s win in 2014. His re-election in 2019 was annulled by the Constitutional Court due to irregularities, leading to a re-run in 2020 that Chakwera won. The upcoming 2025 elections will likely continue this trend of power shifts, reflecting a maturing democracy in which no single party has maintained dominance indefinitely.
This election was fought — and won — based on a struggling economy. Malawians have faced persistent price increases, shortages of foreign currency, and economic stagnation. Mutharika’s campaign capitalised on nostalgia for the relative stability of his previous tenure (2014–2020), presenting him as a steadying force amid the economic turmoil the country is experiencing.
Voter registration reached approximately 7.2 million, a decline from the percentage of eligible voters in 2019. Campaigns remained largely peaceful and free from major violence, although top candidates skipped public debates, which limited direct policy confrontations and allowed economic promises to dominate traditional media and events.n election day, polling stations across Malawi opened promptly, with observers noting a calm and efficient process. Voter turnout was robust, reflecting high civic participation. Security forces maintained order without reports of major violence or intimidation, allowing citizens to cast ballots freely. Domestic and international monitors praised the adherence to procedures, including voter verification and ballot handling, which contributed to the day’s success. However, isolated social-media reports emerged claiming “premarked ballot papers” favouring the MCP, though these were not substantiated by official investigations and may represent disinformation attempts.
Civil-society groups and partners like the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Media Institute of Southern Africa – Malawi Chapter (MISA Malawi) played a critical role in maintaining electoral integrity. The iVerify Malawi platform, launched in early 2025, helped counter misinformation and hate speech. iVerify Malawi is a fact-checking and information-integrity platform jointly managed by MISA Malawi and supported by UNDP under the Malawi Electoral Support Project.
iVerify operates through a hybrid verification model, combining automated tools and manual fact-checking by trained journalists, technologists and legal experts. Its mission is to verify claims circulating in both mainstream and social media, rate them for accuracy, and publish results for public awareness. All fact checks undergo a triple-verification process (at least three reviewers) before publication. Citizens can submit claims or reports directly to the platform, which publishes its findings transparently at malawi.i-verify.org. The platform’s reach extends nationwide through partnerships with local media, community radio stations and social-media networks; outreach activities were conducted in districts like Mchinji and Chiradzulu, equipping citizens with tools to spot false information. According to UNDP Malawi, iVerify reached over 1 million citizens online and thousands more through radio and community engagements during the 2025 election cycle.
During the 2025 election period, iVerify Malawi actively investigated and debunked several claims related to the polls. From late September to early October, the platform reinforced its commitment to information integrity by addressing misinformation.
On October 2, iVerify cleared up false claims that Abida Mia ordered the removal of an electricity transformer in Chikwawa, confirming it was routine maintenance. They also exposed a fake statement attributed to DPP Secretary-General Peter Mukhito about fuel and beer price hikes.
Earlier, on October 1, they dismissed rumours of Uladi Mussa’s resignation from the MCP’s National Executive Committee, and on September 26, they disproved reports of Energy Principal Secretary Alfonso Chikuni fleeing the country. Notably, on September 22, they debunked a forged letter claiming the MCP had conceded defeat.
These fact-checks highlight iVerify’s efforts to combat misinformation during Malawi’s post-election period. This initiative builds on UNDP’s global Digital Public Good framework, which has supported similar efforts in countries such as Zambia, Kenya and Sierra Leone.
Post-Election Tensions and Results
The post-voting phase saw heightened scrutiny. In the immediate aftermath of the vote, thousands of Chakwera supporters took to the streets of Lilongwe, blocking several streets to protest early partial results that showed Mutharika in the lead. Demonstrators denounced Annabel Mtalimanja, head of the Malawi Electoral Commission, demanding that the winner be declared based on merit. MCP officials, including public secretary Jessie Kabwila, called for justice over what they described as “massive irregularities,” urging citizens to continue protesting peacefully until their concerns were addressed.
The MCP alleged irregularities in 13 districts, while police arrested eight data-entry clerks suspected of vote manipulation. The arrests followed allegations of data manipulation and mishandling of tally kits, which amplified public scrutiny and protest activities in several districts. Additionally, some tally kits arrived at the national centre without proper seals, fueling suspicions.
Despite these issues, the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) announced final results on September 24, and Chakwera’s early concession was hailed as a model of democratic sportsmanship, averting potential unrest. No widespread post-election disinformation campaigns disrupted the process, thanks in part to pre-emptive measures, though the peaceful transition indicates limited impact from any misinformation.
Digital Rights, Surveillance and Stability
While no confirmed internet throttling, shutdowns or major cyber-attacks occurred during the elections, unlike in some neighbouring countries, pre-election concerns about digital rights and surveillance were notable. Global watchdogs like Access Now monitored for potential disruptions, but Malawi maintained stable access, supporting digital tools for voter engagement and campaigns. Surveillance risks drew attention, with tools such as Cellebrite UFED for data extraction and the Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR) potentially used to monitor opposition activities. Civil society advocated for protections against restrictive laws, such as those on criminal defamation, which could stifle free expression online. The Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority’s (MACRA) disinformation-monitoring software further sparked debates on balancing electoral integrity with privacy. Despite these anticipatory concerns, no election-day digital breaches or scandals were reported, and press-freedom analyses noted improvements in information access amid ongoing risks.
Conclusion
Malawi’s 2025 elections affirm the electorate’s role in driving change, even as challenges in electoral management and digital threats persist. By addressing these, the nation can further solidify its democratic foundations, ensuring that future contests reflect the true will of the people amid ongoing economic pressures. This peaceful power transfer offers hope for stability and progress under Mutharika’s renewed leadership.
You can download a comprehensive observational report prepared by THRAETS on the Malawi 2025 Elections below.