As Malawi’s polls closed on Tuesday, the nation eagerly awaited the results of a pivotal presidential election marked by economic distress and a fierce contest between two prominent candidates. Despite a field of 17 contenders, the race has narrowed to a head-to-head battle between incumbent President Lazarus Chakwera and his predecessor, Peter Mutharika. Both leaders have centered their campaigns on promises to revive Malawi’s struggling economy, which has been plagued by soaring inflation, fuel shortages, and widespread power outages. Voters, including a 28-year-old waitress who expressed her frustration with unemployment, turned out in large numbers, hoping for transformative change. The election also saw delays at some polling stations due to technical issues with biometric systems, though the Malawi Electoral Commission assured that these were promptly addressed. With counting underway, the outcome remains uncertain, but the stakes are high for a nation grappling with persistent poverty and economic instability.