Malawians Vote in Tight Presidential Race
Voters in Malawi are casting ballots Tuesday to choose their next president, with current leader Joyce Banda facing 11 challengers in her bid to win a new term.
More than 7 million people are expected to vote in the tightly contested election.
President Banda has led Malawi since 2012 when her predecessor, Bingu wa Mutharika, died in office.
Her main challengers include Mutharika’s brother, Peter, former cleric Lazarus Chakwera, and Atupele Muluzi, the son of former Malawian president Bakili Muluzi. All three of their parties have won the presidency before.
The candidates highlighted economic issues in their campaigns to lead the impoverished nation.
Voting was delayed by several hours Tuesday in some parts of Malawi, including in the commercial capital, Blantyre. The ballot also includes elections for parliamentarians and councilors.
(VOA)
