BLANTYRE, Malawi (AP) — Malawians cast their votes Tuesday in elections to choose a president, lawmakers and local government representatives at a time of economic turmoil in one of the world’s least-developed countries.

Voters face a choice between giving President Lazarus Chakwera, 70, a second term in office or selecting another leader to solve the southern African nation’s sky-high inflation, cost-of-living crisis and critical fuel shortages.

There are 16 other candidates standing for president in the one-day election, including 85-year-old former president Peter Mutharika, whose victory in a 2019 vote as the incumbent was nullified by a court because of widespread irregularities.

He is viewed as Chakwera’s strongest challenger in this vote.

Another former president, Joyce Banda, a

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