Factbox-Key issues for voters in Malawi's 2025 elections

FILE PHOTO: Flood victims from Mtauchira village carry food they received from the Malawi government in the aftermath of Cyclone Freddy that destroyed their homes in Blantyre, Malawi, March 16, 2023. REUTERS/Esa Alexander/File Photo

BLANTYRE (Reuters) -Malawians will vote for their next president, members of parliament and local councillors on September 16 after five years of increasing economic hardship that was compounded by a series of natural disasters.

Political analysts expect the Southern African country's presidential election to be a two-horse race between current President Lazarus Chakwera and his predecessor Peter Mutharika.