1994 Malawian general election

General elections were held in Malawi on 17 May 1994. Following the restoration of democracy the previous year, they were the first multi-party elections in the country since prior to independence in 1964. The elections for President and the National Assembly were both won by the United Democratic Front (UDF), ending the 30-year rule of the Malawi Congress Party (MCP). Former President-for-life Hastings Banda, in power since independence, was defeated in the one-round presidential election by the UDF's Bakili Muluzi.[1]

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At a reputed age of 96, Banda would have been the oldest person ever to be elected president, or indeed ascend to a position of Head of State (although technically he already held the office) if victorious, and was one of the oldest persons running for that office in history.

Campaign

The National Assembly elections were contested by eight parties, who put forward a total of 600 candidates, as well as 13 independents. The UDF won 88 seats, three short of a majority, whilst the MCP finished second with 56 seats. Results in two seats, both won by Banda's MCP, were annulled due to irregularities.[1] Voter turnout was 79.6%.[2]

Results

President
Candidate Party Votes %
Bakili MuluziUnited Democratic Front1,404,75447.15
Hastings BandaMalawi Congress Party996,35333.44
Chakufwa ChihanaAlliance for Democracy562,86218.89
Kamlepo KaluaMalawi Democratic Party15,6240.52
Invalid/blank votes61,780–
Total3,041,373100
Registered voters/turnout3,775,25680.56
Source: African Elections Database

National Assembly
Party Votes % Seats +/–
United Democratic Front1,375,87846.5385New
Malawi Congress Party996,04733.6856–85
Alliance for Democracy563,41719.0536New
United Front for Multiparty Democracy9,8590.30New
Malawi Democratic Party6,9800.20New
Malawi National Democratic Party2,9130.10New
Congress for the Second Republic2,1180.10New
Malawi Democratic Union3230.00New
Independents6,1590.20New
Invalid/blank votes70,550–––
Total3,004,835100177+36
Registered voters/turnout3,775,25679.6––
Source: Nohlen et al.

Aftermath

Following the elections, on 25 May Muluzi formed a 25-member cabinet, including members of the Malawi National Democratic Party and the United Front for Multiparty Democracy. He left three posts unfilled in the hope that the Alliance for Democracy would also join the government.[1]

References
  1. Malawi: Parliamentary Chamber: National Assembly: Elections held in 1994 Inter-Parliamentary Union
  2. Nohlen, D, Krennerich, M & Thibaut, B (1999) Elections in Africa: A data handbook, p558 ISBN 0-19-829645-2
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