As Malawi prepares to vote in a general election on Tuesday, long queues for petrol and rising living costs have emerged as the most tangible concerns for many voters, overshadowing traditional campaign activities.
Prolonged fuel shortages, frequent power cuts, rising food prices and widespread youth unemployment have left many Malawians cynical about the prospect of change. Campaigning has been notably muted compared with previous elections, with fewer billboards and less distribution of the free T-shirts that once animated rallies.
The presidential race is widely seen as a rematch between incumbent Lazarus Chakwera, 70, and former president Peter Mutharika, 85, with 15 other candidates also on the ballot. But for many voters, the immediate question is not who should lead the country, but how to get fuel and food.
President Chakwera acknowledged public frustration in a televised address eight days before the vote and apologised for the shortages. He accused allegedly corrupt officials of deliberately sabotaging the oil market and pledged measures to restore supplies. The shortages have at times sparked fights at petrol stations, and some young men have taken to selling petrol and diesel in small plastic containers at prices far above the official rate to survive.
Inflation has surged past 30% over the past year, driven in part by a shortage of foreign currency that has forced importers to turn to a black market for dollars. Higher import costs have been passed on to consumers, exacerbating food insecurity for many households. Around 80% of Malawi's population live in rural areas and rely on smallholdings; fertilizer — a vital input — has become much more expensive, rising sixfold since 2019.
Young voters may be particularly consequential: about half of registered voters are under 35, but many expressed disillusionment with the choices on the ballot. "When young people cast their ballots next week, they should think about the poverty crisis. The coming president should fix the employment rate because many of the young people are unemployed," said 33-year-old Monica Chinoko in Lilongwe. "Looking at the candidates — it's really a tough choice to make because hope has been lost," said Ashley Phiri, 35.
Supporters of Mutharika have at times invoked memories of his previous tenure, while Chakwera's backers point to his pledges to invest in the country's future. Chakwera has proposed a programme to deposit 500,000 Malawi kwacha (about $290) into accounts for every child born after the election, to be accessed at age 18. He has also promised to bring down the price of fertilizer through a targeted programme due to start next month.
Other candidates, including former president Joyce Banda, have campaigned on anti-corruption and economic transformation platforms. Banda has pledged to improve rural infrastructure, while figures such as Atupele Muluzi, Dalitso Kabambe and Vice-President Michael Usi have also offered pledges of radical change in the country among the world's poorest.
Campaigning has been subdued in part because many households are struggling to meet basic needs. With wages lagging behind the surge in food prices, patience is thin among motorists and consumers. Election observers and voters have noted a sharper focus on immediate material concerns than on the pageantry that previously accompanied national votes.
The stakes extend beyond the presidency to parliamentary and local council races, and the outcome could require a second-round presidential run-off if no candidate wins an outright majority. Malawians will be watching whether the next administration can ease fuel shortages, stabilise prices, revive growth and create jobs — particularly for the nation's large youth cohort.
Reporting on public attitudes and campaign conditions was provided by BBC correspondents in Lilongwe and Mangochi.