• Malawi's elections feature incumbent Lazarus Chakwera facing off against former President Peter Mutharika.
• Sky-high inflation and economic hardships have dominated voters' concerns.
• Reports indicate a likely runoff as no candidate may achieve over 50% of the vote.
• Malawi Electoral Commission under scrutiny for transparency after prior election irregularities.
• Voter turnout was moderately low, with only 51% of registered voters casting ballots by polling's close.

Malawi's election held on Tuesday was marked by significant economic challenges, with both incumbent President Lazarus Chakwera and former President Peter Mutharika vying for leadership amid rising inflation and a cost-of-living crisis. Analysts describe the election as crucial for the country's future as approximately 3.7 million votes were cast, marking a pivotal moment for Malawi during its worst economic downturn in decades, according to Anadolu and BBC.

The elections unfolded under a sense of disillusionment among voters, many of whom expressed uncertainty about the capacity of either candidate to bring about real change in a country grappling with inflation exceeding 27% and severe fuel shortages, reports indicate. "Whether it is Chakwera or (his predecessor) Mutharika, nothing changes for us. It's like choosing between two sides of the same coin," noted Victor Shawa, reflecting the sentiment of many voters, according to Africanews and Reuters.

Voters chose from a field of 17 candidates, though it was primarily seen as a contest between Chakwera and Mutharika, both of whom have a history of leadership marked by allegations of corruption and economic mismanagement. Despite the presence of other candidates, including former President Joyce Banda, political analysts suggest that the two frontrunners dominate the landscape, highlighting the lack of alternatives perceived by voters, as noted by Al Jazeera, AllAfrica, and Africanews.

As counting began on Tuesday evening, preliminary results indicated that a runoff might be necessary as no candidate may achieve the required 50% plus one vote. This reflects a continuation of the competitive rivalry that has defined recent elections, following the annulled 2019 election and subsequent re-run won by Chakwera in 2020, according to Africanews, Al Jazeera, and Reuters.

The election's aftermath will be closely monitored, as the Malawi Electoral Commission faces scrutiny over its ability to ensure a fair and transparent voting process following past irregularities. Observers and citizens alike await results, which must be published within a week, further emphasizing the critical nature of this electoral cycle, according to Anadolu and BBC.