Malawi’s last presidential election five years ago was seen as a democratic milestone.
Citing significant irregularities at the polls, the nation’s highest court struck down the initial results that had kept the incumbent, Peter Mutharika, in power. The court ordered a historic rerun in 2020 that saw Lazarus Chakwera, an opposition leader, prevail over Mr. Mutharika.
The court’s intervention was hailed as a victory for democracy, not only in the small southern African nation, but also across a continent where leaders often cling to power through corruption.
But now, as Malawians head to the polls for a presidential election on Tuesday, that sense of triumph seems to have evaporated.
Mr. Chakwera has faced criticism for appointing allies to the commission that runs the country’s elections. His opponents in this year’s race, who include Mr. Mutharika, have accused election officials of manipulating the voter registration process to favor Mr. Chakwera, and they have raised concerns about the electronic system that will be used to tally the votes.
Opposition leaders have accused Mr. Chakwera’s party, the Malawi Congress Party, of deploying violent mobs against them. Some analysts believe that the election will again lead to a court battle.
All this is playing out as Malawians watch their economy deteriorate, with rising inflation and widespread poverty.
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The post After a Landmark Election, a Disillusioned Malawi Returns to the Polls appeared first on New York Times.
