Malawi: Voters weigh up choice in close race

Malawians are going to the polls to elect a new president in what has been described as one of the country’s most unpredictable elections. There are seven candidates, but three are seen as having a realistic chance. President Peter Mutharika is running for a second term, but he is being challenged by his own vice-president, […]

Malawians are going to the polls to elect a new president in what has been described as one of the country’s most unpredictable elections.

There are seven candidates, but three are seen as having a realistic chance.

President Peter Mutharika is running for a second term, but he is being challenged by his own vice-president, Saulos Chilima, and Lazarus Chakwera.

The southern African country returned to multi-party elections in 1994 after 30 years of authoritarian rule.

The winning candidate just needs to get the largest share of the votes cast rather than more than 50%.