Malawi prepares for elections as cost of living tops voters’ concerns

On Tuesday, 7.2 million registered voters in Malawi will head to the ballot boxes for a day of voting in three elections: presidential, parliamentary and local. In the presidential election, incumbent president Lazarus Chakwera is seeking a second term in office, while former presidents Peter Mutharika and Joyce Banda are attempting political comebacks. All 17 candidates have pledged to address the worsening economic hardship, which is the defining issue of this election. Soaring inflation, unaffordable fuel prices, mass unemployment and a lack of foreign exchange are all exacerbating the country’s already dire situation.