Lilongwe: Malawi is gearing up for pivotal elections, with the cost of living emerging as the primary concern for voters. The nation will hold presidential, parliamentary, and local elections, where the economy has become the defining issue, influencing the platforms of all 17 presidential candidates. Incumbent President Lazarus Chakwera is seeking re-election, while former presidents Peter Mutharika and Joyce Banda are making political comebacks, each pledging to tackle the worsening economic conditions that have gripped the country.

According to France24.com, soaring inflation rates, unaffordable fuel prices, widespread unemployment, and a significant lack of foreign exchange have exacerbated Malawi's already strained economic situation. These issues have become central to the electoral campaigns, as candidates vie to present viable solutions to the electorate. The outcome of the elections could set the course for how Malawi addresses its pressing economic challenges in the coming years.