Despite Frustration With Politics, Malawi's Youth Remain a Decisive Force in the 2025 General Elections

On Tuesday, September 16, 2025, Malawi will hold its general elections. The vote comes five years after the 2020 rerun that followed the annulment of the disputed 2019 “Tippex election,” where correctional fluid, Tippex, was used to alter results, and at a time when the country is facing a weakened economy, high inflation, and persistent concerns over corruption. In this election, Malawians are voting for survival. 

This election is also notable for the prominence of young voters, who make up the largest share of the electorate. Their participation, or the lack thereof, could prove decisive.

Who is on the ballot?

The race is shaping up as a contest between President Lazarus Chakwera, who is seeking a second term on promises of reform, and former president Peter Mutharika, making a comeback on the strength of his past record. The United Transformation Movement (UTM), once allied with Chakwera, is running separately after the sudden death of its leader, Vice President Saulos Chilima, whose absence continues to loom over the election. In his place, UTM has put forward Dr. Dalitso Kabambe.

Joyce Banda, who served as Malawi’s first female president from 2012 to 2014, is also contesting. Though no longer seen as a frontrunner, her candidacy carries symbolic weight and could shape regional outcomes. Other candidates, including current vice president Michael Usi and several independents, may not dominate the race but could influence coalition-building in the aftermath of the vote.

Chilima, the absent candidate

For Malawi’s youth, Chilima’s absence is deeply felt. More than a year after his sudden death in a military plane crash on June 10, 2024, he remains a rare figure in politics: energetic, digitally fluent, and unafraid to speak the language of change. His passing left young voters disoriented, grieving not just a leader but a sense of possibility. For a generation that looked to him for leadership, the 2025 election is a hope interrupted.

The youth vote

With Malawians under 35 making up the majority of the electorate, the youth vote is seen as a crucial factor in the 2025 polls. While some young people are ready to nail their colors to the mast and proudly back their candidates, some are deeply disillusioned, questioning whether elections can bring tangible change. That sense of disillusionment is often expressed quietly, as some Malawians prefer not to attach their names to political criticism. 

A young Malawian secondary school teacher, who preferred to speak anonymously, tells OkayAfrica that she feels “betrayed” by the current government. “When President Chakwera came into power, he acknowledged that we had played a role by protesting and calling for electoral justice. To be in this situation now, where he has broken his promises to those of us who stood up, is really frustrating. I feel like I have betrayed my children by raising them in this country, because I don’t know what I am leaving them. Nothing is working here. I’ve lived through a few governments in Malawi, and while things have been bad before, at this point it feels like we’ve been left without hope.”

This frustration is shared by many young Malawians, whose hopes and fears will play a decisive role in the upcoming election. They shared their thoughts with OkayAfrica.

Happy Vitsitsi, 34, motorbike taxi operator

What are your hopes for the upcoming election?

I am hoping for a stronger economy. That would give me a chance to build a better life for my family. Just a few years ago, I was able to earn around MWK50,000 ($29) a day from my motorbike, but things have become so bad that these days I am lucky if I bring home MWK20,000 ($12). Fuel shortages have become worse. Sometimes, I have to park my motorbike because there is no fuel.

What are your fears?

I fear that people will vote along tribal lines and forget about Malawi. Malawians have this tendency of voting for a candidate who speaks the same language, shares the same culture, or comes from their district. I am worried that in this election, people will do that and not think about what's best for Malawi.

Maggie Kadrum, 29, singer-songwriter

What does this election mean for artists and creatives in Malawi?

Artists need to see meaningful support for the arts. This could transform opportunities for Malawian musicians and other creatives struggling to make a living. I am hoping for real action and not just words from our leaders. Real investment in the arts could change everything for us.

What are your fears?

Instead of my fears, let me rather say my prayer is that our leaders would prioritize collective development and not personal gains that will derail the main goal as a country.

William Shumba, 28, Business Developer

Do you think voters are informed enough to make the right choices this election?

My hope is that people will vote from an informed place. I hope they will walk into the voting stations armed with knowledge of who they are voting for and why. There is too much at stake. The economy is broken. Personally, I am voting for a conducive environment that will enable me to do my business. I don’t want handouts. I need something that will respond to my efforts.

Dumisa Mbano, 41, Sociologist

Do you think Malawi learned lessons from the previous election?

I hope so. I hope that we will have free and fair elections that will reflect that our democracy has matured. In 2020, we had electoral reforms after the 2019 results were nullified due to irregularities. These reforms showed a willingness to outgrow politics that reflect ethnic hegemonies. I hope we step up to the plate and vote according to issues that affect us all as Malawians.

How does this election compare to the previous one in terms of potential obstacles or risks to integrity?

I am afraid that there could be irregularities in the electoral processes. There have been many concerns, by the opposition and civil society, about the people tasked to run the election and the equipment that will be used. These concerns have not been adequately addressed. This makes me afraid that people might not accept the results and that [there] will be unrest. I am really concerned about post-election violence.

Gomezgani N’gambi, 31, Field Officer

What result would you want from this election? 

I want Malawi to have a working government. The party that we choose should actually work in favor of Malawians. Our greatest hope was the late Vice President Saulos Chilima. After his death, a lot of us lost hope because the torchbearer of the next government won’t be around. 

Are the youth eager to vote this time around?

Honestly, some young people are reluctant to vote, and many have lost all hope. There's a high chance that the incumbent government may still remain, and we’re already hearing about a possible devaluation of the currency. We’re currently grappling with hyperinflation and scarcity of commodities like petrol and diesel. Basic commodities. My fear is that once the elections have passed, the prices of these goods will most likely go up. People are quite literally starving. We’re fighting for our lives!

High stakes

Beyond the headlines and political battles, Malawi’s 2025 election is about the daily lives of its citizens. For everyday Malawians, the stakes are tangible: a stable economy, real opportunities, and leaders who will listen. Whether voters opt for continuity, a return to familiar leadership, or a new path entirely, this election will shape the future that so many young Malawians are striving to secure.