Vote counting is underway in Malawi after polling stations closed at 14:00 GMT in a high-stakes presidential election.
Incumbent President Lazarus Chakwera is seeking a second term against former President Peter Mutharika, with both rivals pledging to revive the struggling economy. If no candidate secures more than 50% of the votes, a runoff will be held.
The Malawi Electoral Commission confirmed that around 3.7 million ballots were cast, despite delays at some polling stations caused by faulty biometric fingerprint readers.
Officials said the problems created “queueing challenges” but were eventually resolved.
Special provisions allowed voters unable to write to use inked fingerprints, while others marked ballots with pens.
While the contest is widely seen as a two-horse race between Chakwera and Mutharika, 15 other candidates are also on the ballot, including former President Joyce Banda, the only female contender.
The commission has until September 24 to release presidential results, while parliamentary outcomes are due by September 30.
