Malawi's ex-President Mutharika takes early lead in election

Malawi's former President Peter Mutharika has taken an early lead in this week's election, in which he faced off for the fourth time against incumbent Lazarus Chakwera, provisional results from one-quarter of councils showed.

Mutharika received roughly 51% of the valid votes cast in nine of the country's 36 councils, compared with nearly 39% for Chakwera, according to Reuters calculations based on results released by the country's election commission.

A candidate needs to secure more than 50% of valid votes for an outright win, otherwise there will be a second round.

Political analysts had predicted that the September 16 vote would be a two-horse race between Mutharika and Chakwera, the presidential candidates of the two biggest parties in the Southern African country's parliament.

Inflation

Malawi has faced economic stagnation since former pastor Chakwera, 70, was elected five years ago.

A devastating cyclone and a regional drought, both linked to climate change, have wiped out crops and worsened hardship. Inflation has been above 20% for more than three years.