| Parliament name |
National Assembly |
| Structure of parliament |
Unicameral |
| BACKGROUND |
| Dates of election / renewal (from/to) |
20 May 2014 |
| Timing and scope of renewal |
The 2014 elections returned a fragmented parliament with no party securing an outright majority in the 193-member National Assembly. The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), now led by Mr. Peter Mutharika (younger brother of the late President Bingu wa Mutharika), remained the largest party with 50 seats, significantly less than the 113 that it had taken in 2009. The Malawi Congress Party (MCP), led by former cleric Lazurus Chakwera, followed with 48 seats, up from 27. The People's Party (PP) took 26 seats. The PP was formed in 2011 by the then Vice President Joyce Banda, after she left the DPP. Ms. Banda subsequently became the country's first female President in 2012, following the death of President Mutharika. A record 52 independent candidates were elected, up from 33.
During the election campaign, the major parties ran on a similar platform, promising poverty alleviation, improved agriculture, better education, health services and employment. President Banda underscored that her government had addressed fuel shortages and high inflation, which she said were inherited from the previous DPP-led administration. Opposition forces criticized the President for mishandling the so-called "Cashgate" scandal, which resulted in the suspension of foreign aid for the fiscal year 2013-2014. DPP leader Mutharika referred to his brother's achievements as President. The MCP, which had led Malawi to independence from the United Kingdom in 1964, promised to restore decency, hope, prosperity and development.
Three elections took place on 24 May, for the President, parliament and local councils. Due to logistical problems, some polling stations opened 10 hours later than scheduled, triggering riots. The Election Commission announced that the number of votes cast in several polling stations exceeded the number of registered voters. On 24 May, President Banda ordered fresh parliamentary and presidential elections be held within 90 days, citing "rampant irregularities". She stated that she would no longer be a presidential candidate. The High Court issued an injunction later the same day, stopping President Banda from interfering with the vote. The Southern African Development Community (SADC) Election Observer mission, while noting some shortcomings, declared the elections were "free, peaceful and credible".
The Election Commission declared that Mr. Peter Mutharika (DPP) had won the presidential elections. The latter was sworn in as President on 31 May. |
Date of previous elections: 19 May 2009
Date of dissolution of the outgoing legislature: 20 March 2014
Timing of election: Upon normal expiry
Expected date of next elections: May 2019
Number of seats at stake: 193 (full renewal)
Number of candidates: 1,290 (1,033 men, 257 women)
Percentage of women candidates: 19.2%
Number of parties contesting the election: 17
Number of parties winning seats: 6
Date of the first session of the new parliament: 9 June 2014
Name of the new Speaker: Mr. Richard Msowoya (Malawi Congress Party, MCP) |
| STATISTICS |
| Voter turnout |
| Round no 1 | 20 May 2014 |
Number of registered electors
Voters
Blank or invalid ballot papers
Valid votes |
7'470'806
5'234'506 (70.07%)
74'634
5'159'872 |
|
Notes
|
|
| Distribution of votes |
|
Round no 1
|
| Political group |
Candidates |
Votes |
|
|
% of votes |
|
|
| Independents |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Malawi Congress Party (MCP) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| People's Party (PP) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| United Democratic Front (UDF) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Alliance for Democracy (AFORD) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Chipani Cha Pfuko (CCP) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Distribution of seats |
|
Round no 1
|
| Political Group |
Total of seats
|
|
|
|
|
| Independents |
52
|
|
|
|
|
| Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) |
50
|
|
|
|
|
| Malawi Congress Party (MCP) |
48
|
|
|
|
|
| People's Party (PP) |
26
|
|
|
|
|
| United Democratic Front (UDF) |
14
|
|
|
|
|
| Alliance for Democracy (AFORD) |
1
|
|
|
|
|
| Chipani Cha Pfuko (CCP) |
1
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Distribution of seats according to sex |
Men
Women
Percent of women |
160
32
16.67%
|
| Distribution of seats according to age |
|
|
|
| Distribution of seats according to profession |
|
|
|
| Comments |
Sources:
Malawi Electoral Commission (11.06.2014, 18.06.2014)
http://www.mec.org.mw
Note:
The distribution of seats above refers to 192 seats. Elections did not take place in one constituency due to the sudden death of one of the candidates. |
|
