More than 7.2 million Malawians went to the polls on Tuesday in a tightly contested general election, casting ballots for the presidency, 229 parliamentary seats, and 509 local council positions.
The vote featured 17 presidential contenders, including incumbent Lazarus Chakwera, former presidents Peter Mutharika and Joyce Banda, and other prominent figures such as Vice President Michael Usi, United Transformation Movement’s Dalitso Kabambe, and Atupele Muluzi, son of former President Bakili Muluzi.
Polling stations opened at 06:00 and closed at 16:00 local time, with long queues reported nationwide as voters turned out in large numbers to choose new leadership across all levels of government.
Chakwera, who leads the ruling Malawi Congress Party, and Mutharika, head of the main opposition Democratic Progressive Party, are widely seen as the frontrunners in a race defined by deep political rivalry and competing visions for the country’s future.
As polls closed, ballot counting began immediately, with first-round results expected within eight days. The vote followed a dramatic political move on Monday evening, when President Chakwera dissolved his cabinet just hours before the election, centralizing ministerial responsibilities under his office.
Widely viewed as a pivotal moment for Malawi, the election drew high voter turnout, especially among young voters, reflecting growing public demand for change and accountability.
"Most of the people think that to vote is for elderly people, it's for our parents. But no, this vote is for our young people, for our youth and we have to vote to change these things that are happening. One vote can change everything," said Brenda Mwechumu, Lilongwe resident.
Malawi Electoral Commission officials monitored the elections closely, ensuring procedures were followed across thousands of polling centers.
The nation now waits with anticipation for the results, hoping that the newly elected administration can deliver on promises of economic reform and improved standards of living.
"I'm looking forward to an improved livelihood after this election. I hope our future is going to be better, compared to how things are at the moment," said Thom Dalikeni, Lilongwe resident.
Malawi votes in pivotal general election as ballot counting gets underway
A former television host from Taiwan, Zhai Xuan, has made a pivotal decision to leave mainstream broadcasting in order to create content that provides a better understanding of the Chinese mainland and cross-strait relations.
Zhai, a seasoned television host with over a decade of experience in Taiwan's media landscape, recently addressed an audience at an event in Beijing, where she revealed her complete transition into independent online media.
In her remarks, she articulated her aspiration to bridge what she perceives as a significant information gap between audiences on both sides of the Strait, highlighting her commitment to fostering a deeper understanding and connection through her new endeavors.
"I was really surprised by all the fake news. There were stories saying people on the mainland can't afford tea eggs or that they live in mud houses and in Taiwan, this was the main information many people received," said Zhai.
Zhai said she initially began producing online videos to challenge such perceptions while continuing her work as a television host.
In April 2025, she travelled to the mainland with her father to fulfill her late grandfather's wish to return to his hometown. The trip, which reunited family members separated since 1949, was recorded in a video series titled "Journey to Find Our Roots", drawing attention from viewers in both Taiwan and the mainland.
"Many people in Taiwan told me that after watching, they wanted to apply for a mainland travel permit immediately and go looking for their relatives. Some had long forgotten these things, but after seeing my story, they began thinking about their hometowns and family members they had never met and decided to search for their roots," Zhai shared her story at the event.
By mid-2025, Zhai said she began to feel increasing pressure amid rising political tensions and a tightening atmosphere around cross-Strait exchanges in Taiwan.
After more than 12 years in the industry, Zhai resigned from her position, believing it was the right thing to do.
"At that moment, I felt this was a major issue，not just for me, but for Chinese people on both sides of the Strait. If I backed down then, I wouldn’t be standing on the right side," said Zhai.
Since leaving television, Zhai has broadened her online programming to encompass a range of daily-life topics, including practical guidance on applying for a mainland travel permit and using commonly employed mobile applications, in addition to content that delves into historical memory and cultural connections across the Strait.
As the debate over cross-Strait relations continues in Taiwan, Zhai said she remains committed to her current path.
Former Taiwan TV host bridges cross-Strait divide via online media
