(250917) -- BLANTYRE, Sept. 17, 2025 (Xinhua) -- Political party monitors and Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) officers count ballots at a polling station in Blantyre, Malawi, Sept. 16, 2025. The much-awaited voting exercise started at 6 a.m. local time on Tuesday, with long queues at polling centers across the country.
Seventeen presidential candidates are contesting, including incumbent President Lazarus Chakwera and former presidents Peter Mutharika and Joyce Banda. Other presidential hopefuls include United Transformation Movement's candidate Dalitso Kabambe, former President Bakili Muluzi's son Atupele Muluzi, and incumbent Vice President Michael Usi. (Photo by Joseph Mizere/Xinhua)
