Fuel Shortage Dominates Malawi's Election Climate

Sat Oct 18 2025 06:15:29 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

As Malawi approaches its general elections, voters are consumed by concerns over fuel shortages, rising living costs, and stagnant job opportunities, overshadowing the political campaigns of their leaders.

In Malawi, the looming general elections on Tuesday are overshadowed by widespread petrol shortages and growing economic woes. Candidates, including incumbent President Lazarus Chakwera and former President Peter Mutharika, face a backdrop of public cynicism and desperation, driven by economic challenges that have led to muted campaigning compared to previous years. As frustrations rise during long fuel queues, young voters express disillusionment and skepticism over promised changes, highlighting a nation seeking solutions amidst ongoing hardships.

The queue to get fuel rather than the queue to vote is what is on the mind of many Malawians as Tuesday's general election approaches.

Prolonged petrol shortages, along with regular power cuts, rising living costs, hunger, poverty, inequality, and youth unemployment, add to the tangible frustration here.

The presidential, parliamentary, and local council candidates are competing for votes against a background of cynicism about what might actually change.

In a sign that money is tight, electioneering has been somewhat muted compared to the past. This is despite the presidential race being seen as a rematch between the incumbent, Lazarus Chakwera, and the man he beat in 2020, then-President Peter Mutharika.

There are 15 other candidates. But the usual colorful campaign carnival is missing. Free T-shirts typically given out to whip up enthusiasm are more limited, and there are fewer giant election billboards on the nation's main roads.

Back in the snaking petrol lines, patience runs thin, which has at times led to fist fights.

Sensing the fuel shortage was becoming an election issue, Chakwera has tried to tackle it head-on. In a televised address, eight days before polls open, he acknowledged the frustration and apologized. He also accused allegedly corrupt officials of deliberately sabotaging the oil market.

To support themselves, many young men have resorted to selling petrol and diesel using small plastic containers at five times the official price. In the southern town of Mangochi, they refused to be interviewed but expressed that preying on desperate motorists was the only way to survive.

With food costs rising at more than 30% in the past year, and wages not keeping pace, the economic strain is growing.

Young voters, who represent around half of all registered voters, have expressed disillusionment with the electoral choices. While Chakwera remains optimistic about his potential for reelection, recent years have been challenging under his leadership, marked by continued economic hardship. He has promised initiatives like a savings plan for newborns to invest in the nation's future.

Opposition candidates including Mutharika and Joyce Banda are also addressing the pressing economic issues, hoping to reclaim votes amidst a climate of uncertainty.

Malawi's voters are eager for significant change, but they harbor doubts based on their experiences with previous administrations. As the nation approaches the polls, the pressing questions arise: who will put more food on the table and fuel in the tank?