Malawi's former president, Peter Mutharika, has taken an early lead in this week's election, in which he faced off against incumbent Lazarus Chakwera.

General elections are underway in Malawi, with over seven million registered voters electing their next president, members of parliament and ward councillors.

The presidents of Malawi, Zambia, and Mozambique, Lazarus Chakwera, Hakainde Hichilema, and Daniel Chapo, witnessed the Kulamba Traditional ceremony of the Chewa people in the three countries, which takes place annually on the last Saturday in August.