By Edwin Mauluka

Results from polling stations across Malawi continue to trickle in as counting for the September 16, 2025, elections remains underway.

Malawians went to the polls on Tuesday to elect a president, members of parliament, and ward councillors for the next five years.

Early, unofficial results indicate a tight race between former president Peter Mutharika of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and incumbent president Lazarus Chakwera of the Malawi Congress Party (MCP).

Civil society groups, religious leaders, and political party representatives have urged Malawians to remain calm as they await the official results.

As of 9 a.m. on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) reported a voter turnout of 64.09%, representing 4,616,818 ballots cast out of 7,203,390 registered voters.

Turnout data also shows that women made up 57.15% of voters, compared to 42.85% for men. By district, Likoma recorded the highest turnout at 79.11%, followed by Chiradzulu (77.03%) and Phalombe (76.49%).