Seeking votes, Malawi president vows to transform country

Malawian President Peter Mutharika made a final plea to voters on Saturday, promising to develop the country "beyond recognition" if he wins next week's election.

Mutharika, who came to power in 2014, could face a tough battle to hold onto office in Tuesday's election, after his presidency was damaged by corruption allegations.

"We have set Malawi on the path of progress. The opposition have nothing to criticise me on," he told several thousand cheering supporters in Blantyre at his final campaign rally.

"My priorities for this country are development and building skills. When you give me a chance for another five years, I will develop this country beyond recognition.

"I can assure you that we will get to the level of Singapore and Malaysia."

Mutharika, who said he was taking only 40 per cent of his salary to help the economy, pledged to construct more schools and factories in Malawi -- a largely agricultural country that is one of the poorest in the world.

"We will continue to build .