- Malawian general election, 2009
-
Malawi 
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A general election was held in Malawi on 19 May 2009. President Bingu wa Mutharika ran for re-election; his main opponent was John Tembo, the President of the Malawi Congress Party (MCP). Five other candidates also ran.[1] The election was won by Mutharika, who was re-elected to the Presidency with around two-thirds of the vote.[2] Mutharika's DPP also won a strong parliamentary majority.[3]
Contents
Registration and electoral timetable
Voter registration started in August 2008 and was scheduled to end on 29 November 2008, but on 20 November (by which time 3.5 million voters had been registered) it was announced that registration would be extended into December. This extension was caused by problems related to digital cameras that were necessary to the process.[4]
Between 2 February and 6 February, presidential and parliamentary candidates submitted their nomination papers.[5] The official campaigning period began on 17 March and is scheduled to conclude on 17 May. Parliament was dissolved on 20 March, in accordance with the constitution,[6] and subsequently the Malawi Electoral Commission will announce which candidates have been deemed eligible.[7]
Candidacies
On 22 October 2008, Hetherwick Ntaba, the Secretary-General of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), announced that the DPP national governing council had unanimously endorsed Mutharika as the party's presidential candidate a few days earlier.[8] However, Foreign Minister Joyce Banda said on 16 January 2009 that Mutharika felt the endorsement of the council was inadequate and that he wanted the endorsement of the party's base. Therefore he sought the backing of the delegates at a DPP convention.[9] Later, as the DPP presidential candidate, Mutharika chose Banda as his vice-presidential candidate.[10]
Bakili Muluzi, who was designated as the UDF's presidential candidate, previously served two terms as President from 1994 to 2004. According to the constitution, a President is allowed to serve no more than two consecutive five-year terms. Because Muluzi had been out of office since 2004, his supporters argued that the term limit should not apply to him, as it did not restrict nonconsecutive terms if interpreted literally.[5]
Speaking to Capital Radio on 22 February 2009, Muluzi accused the government of using intimidation against his candidacy and warned that such conduct could lead to "problems".[7] A few days later, he was charged by the Anti-Corruption Bureau with stealing 12 million dollars of aid money; he appeared before a court in Blantyre and was released on bail.[11] The Electoral Commission stated he was not eligible to run again, but his supporters are calling for an official court decision instead.[12] On 16 May, only three days before the election, the Constitutional Court ruled that Muluzi could not run again.[13]
MCP President John Tembo was considered the main opposition candidate, and the MCP formed an electoral alliance with the UDF prior to the election.[1] Tembo's vice-presidential candidate was Brown Mpinganjira of the UDF.[14] Observing that the DPP had never participated in an election (it was founded in 2005), Tembo argued that he and the MCP had the experience to govern the country properly: "I belong to the past, I belong to the present and I also belong to the future."[15]
Independent candidate James Nyondo submitted his nomination papers on 4 February and claims to have sponsored over 120 independent parliamentary candidates by paying the MK 100,000 ($700 USD) nomination fee. He is the only independent candidate in the 2009 presidential election and has campaigned on the need for a new generation of leadership, a smaller cabinet, and an end to the personal extravagance of the current and previous governments.[16][17][18]
Loveness Gondwe of the New Rainbow Coalition submitted her presidential candidacy on 3 February, becoming the first woman to run for President in Malawi. She stressed the importance of holding a free and fair election and avoiding the kind of post-election turmoil that affected Kenya and Zimbabwe in 2008.[19]
Observers expected a close election between the two strongest candidates, Mutharika and Tembo. While Tembo enjoyed the united backing of the country's two most established and powerful parties—the MCP and the UDF—he faced an incumbent President who had presided over strong economic growth of 8%, and the outcome was considered uncertain.[15]
Mutharika, who was 75 years old at the time of the election, said that he would retire from politics if he lost the election and that he would retire in 2014 if he was successful in winning a second term.[15]
The election and subsequent events
On the day of the election, Joy Radio, which is owned by UDF Chairman Bakili Muluzi, was closed by the police after it broadcast a satire that lampooned Mutharika. Two of the station's presenters and a technician were arrested.[20] The Malawi Electoral Commission declared that Bingu wa Mutharika had won the presidential election on 21 May 2009, after 93% of votes had been counted.[21] Mutharika gained 2.7 million votes with John Tembo, his nearest rival, winning 1.2 million. Tembo alleged that the government had committed electoral fraud with opposition poll agents being denied access to the vote counting centres. An EU observation team also noted that state television had failed to be neutral during the election campaigns, supporting the government.[21]
Partial official results for the parliamentary election showed that of the 193 seats the Democratic Progressive Party had won 78, the Malawi Congress Party had won 18, the United Democratic Front had won 12, and the Alliance for Democracy and the Malawi Forum for Unity and Development won one each. Independent candidates had won 23 seats.[21][22] Ultimately the DPP won 114 seats (though the election of the vice president vacated one of those), obtaining a strong majority in the 193-seat National Assembly, while the MCP trailed distantly with 26 seats and the UDF won only 17.[3] Mutharika and the DPP won an overwhelming victory in northern Malawi, but also performed well in the central and southern regions, although those regions have been historically dominated by the MCP and UDF respectively. Some analysts suggested that this election marked a departure from Malawi's traditional voting patterns, which are heavily influenced by region.[23] Unlike Tembo, Muluzi accepted the official results of the election.[3] 32 independent MPs were elected, though many of those started joining the DPP after the election; one seat was won by the Maravi People's Party (MPP), the Alliance for Democracy (Aford) and the Malawi Forum for Unity and Development (MAFUNDE). In one constituency, the election was postponed.[24]
Mutharika and Joyce Banda were respectively sworn in as President and Vice-President on 22 May 2009. The MCP boycotted the event, but Muluzi was present.[25] Some in the MCP called for the party to recognize Mutharika's victory and for Tembo to resign as MCP President. Tembo refused and vowed to legally challenge the results.[26]
Results
Summary of the 19 May 2009 Malawian presidential election results Candidates Parties Votes % Bingu wa Mutharika Democratic Progressive Party 2,946,103 65.98 John Tembo Malawi Congress Party 1,370,044 30.69 Kamuzu Chibambo People's Transformation Party 35,167 0.79 Stanley Masauli Republican Party 33,887 0.76 Loveness Gondwe New Rainbow Coalition 32,160 0.72 James Mbowe Nyondo independent 27,328 0.61 Dindi Gowa Nyasulu Alliance for Democracy 20,151 0.45 Total (turnout %) 4,464,840 100.00 Source: mec.org.mw Summary of the 19 May 2009 National Assembly of Malawi election results Seats Democratic Progressive Party 114 Malawi Congress Party 26 United Democratic Front 17 Alliance for Democracy 1 Maravi People's Party 1 Malawi Forum for Unity and Development 1 Independents 32 Vacant (death of candidate) 1 Total (turnout %) 193 Source: IPU Parliamentarians
A partial list of elected MPs from 156 constituencies:[27]
MP Party Constituency Region Kezzie Kasambala Msukwa IND Chitipa East Northern Gertrude Hendrina Maseko DPP Balaka North Southern Nicholas Harry Dausi IND Mwanza Central Southern Paul Lackson Zakaliya Chibingu DPP Mwanza West Southern Felix Njawala IND Blantyre Kabula Southern Jeffrey Ntelemuka DPP Blantyre City South-East Southern Henry Mussa DPP Chiradzulu East Southern Margaret Roka Mauwa DPP Chiradzulu North Southern Eunice Kazembe DPP Chiradzulu South Southern George Namatumbo DPP Chiradzulu West Southern Clement Terence Chiwaya UDF Mangochi Central Southern Fraser Nihorya DPP Mulanje Limbuli Southern Stephen Namacha DPP Mulanje North Southern Richie Bizwick Muheya DPP Mulanje South Southern Patricia Annie Kaliati DPP Mulanje West Southern Geoffrey Henock Mbuzi DPP Ntchisi North-East Central Albert G.M. Doza Thindwa DPP Rumphi East Northern Prof. Moses C. Chirambo DPP Rumphi Central Northern Austin Jatula Mkandawire DPP Rumphi West Northern Tasokwa Caseby Msiska DPP Rumphi North Northern Olivia Anita Thundu IND Likoma Islands Northern Chimunthu Banda DPP Nkhotakota North Central Daniel Liwimbi DPP Nkhotakota North-East Central Edwin Banda IND Nkhotakota Central Central Cassim Chilumpha Dr. IND Nkhotakota South Central Agnes Mandevu M. Chatipwa IND Nkhotakota South East Central Chimango Chipimpha Mughogho IND Chitipa South Northern Luwi Alinuwila Msongole DPP Chitipa Central Northern Aladin Nixon Masebo DPP Chitipa North Northern Godfrey Mudulansi Munkhondya IND Chitipa Wenya Northern Vincent Winstone Ghambi DPP Karonga North Northern Beatrice Kankhonde Mwangonde DPP Karonga North West Northern Cornelius Thomson Mwalwanda IND Karonga Central Northern Khwauli Msiska AFORD Karonga Nyungwe Northern Chembe Glad Munthali DPP Karonga South Northern Peter Nelson Mwanza DPP Mzuzu City Northern Goodall Edward Gondwe DPP Mzimba North Northern Catherine Gotani Hara DPP Mzimba North East Northern Billy Kaunda IND Mzimba West Northern Paul Shawa IND Mzimba South Northern Donton Samuel Job Mkandawire DPP Mzimba Central Northern Rev. Christopher S. Mzomera Ngwira NARC Mzimba Hora Northern Dr Bofomo Immanuel Nyirenda DPP Mzimba Luwelezi Northern Patrick Akimu Mwanza DPP Mzimba Solora Northern Abbie Marambika Shaba DPP Mzimba East Northern Khumbo Hastings Kachali DPP Mzimba South West Northern Rabson Chihaula Shaba DPP Mzimba South East Northern Ephraim Mganda Chiume DPP Nkhata-Bay North Northern Symon Vuwa Kaunda DPP Nkhata-Bay Central Northern Grace Chiumia DPP Nkhata-Bay West Northern David Yohane Kaweche DPP Nkhata-Bay North West Northern David Kapenyela Mphande DPP Nkhata-Bay South East Northern Eta Elizabeth Banda DPP Nkhata-Bay South Northern McJones Mzondi Mandala Shaba DPP Kasungu North Central Grenner Nkhata DPP Kasungu North North-East Central Otria Moyo Jere DPP Kasungu West Central Moses Arthur Chingayipe Mtegha DPP Kasungu North-West Central Vasco Mtunduwatha Chimbalu IND Kasungu South Central Bokosi G Khamba DPP Kasungu South East Central Grenenger K. Msulira Banda DPP Kasungu East Central Ken Edward Kandodo DPP Kasungu Central Central Eugustine Gracewell Mtendere DPP Kasungu North East Central Victor Baudala sanjeni Songazaudzu DPP Ntchisi East Central Jermoth Ulemu Chilapondwa DPP Ntchisi South Central Herbert Josiya Bimphi DPP Ntchisi North Central Bauleni Jimmy Manna DPP Dowa East Central Hastings Petros Chitsamba DPP Dowa South-East Central Leckford Thotho Mwanza DPP Dowa North-East Central Ewart Cara Gawanani DPP Dowa Ngala Central Jean Alfazema Nachika Kalilani DPP Dowa Central Central Abele Ephraim Kayembe IND Dowa West Central Benjamin Chikusa IND Dowa North Central Yona Kamphamtengo MCP Salima North Central Benjamini Benzani Mangira DPP Salima Central Central Uladi Mussa MPP Salima South Central Killiot Kufuna MCP Salima South-East Central Deriah Kankhwani DPP Salima North-West Central Rachel Zulu Mazombwe IND Mchinji North Central Alex Chitete MCP Mchinji North-East Central Ellen Thokozani Solomoni Chisale DPP Mchinji East Central Theresa Gloria Mwale DPP Mchinji West Central Jerome Gervazio Waluza IND Mchinji South Central Francis Leobin Mussa Banda DPP Mchinji South-West Central Patrick Zebron Chilondola MCP Dedza North Central Sosten Gwengwe MCP Dedza Central Central Clement Claude Mlombwa MCP Dedza South-West Central Wodala Alekeni Menyani MCP Dedza North-West Central Hyacinta Palingana Chikaonda DPP Dedza East Central Phllipo Chinkhondo MCP Dedza West Central McSteyn Swithin Mkomba MCP Dedza Central-East Central John Zenas Ungapake Tembo MCP Dedza South Central Everton Herbert Chimulirenji DPP Ntcheu North-East Central Stevin Stafford Kamwendo DPP Ntcheu Bwanje North Central Grandson Lucious Kanyumba DPP Ntcheu Bwanje South Central Jones Vincent Chingola DPP Ntcheu Central Central Damson Chimalira DPP Ntcheu South Central Shadreck Assan Lipande DPP Ntcheu North Central Chikumbutso John Hiwa DPP Ntcheu West Central Christina Winnie Chiwoko DPP Lilongwe Mapuyu North Central Joseph Njovuyalema MCP Lilongwe Mapuyu South Central Bazilio Lunia Titus Malipa MCP Lilongwe North Central Vitus Gonamtunda Dzoole Mwale MCP Lilongwe Msozi South Central Godfrey Kamanya IND Lilongwe Msozi North Central Maureen Katani Bondo MCP Lilongwe Kumachenga Central Lefani Maxwell Thyolera MCP Lilongwe North-East Central Edwin Bhagwanji DPP Lilongwe City West Central Joyce A. Banda IND Lilongwe Mpenu Nkhoma Central Makala Watson Ngozo MCP Lilongwe Mpenu Central Gwengwe Alfred Willard MCP Lilongwe South East Central Ezakiel Peter Ching'oma MCP Lilongwe East Central Shadreck Jonasi DPP Lilongwe City Central Central Lobin Lowe MCP Lilongwe Central Central Ishmail Fillimon Chafukira MCP Lilongwe North-West Central Jolly Saweta Dyson Kalelo IND Lilongwe City North Central Jean Muonaowuza Sendeza MCP Lilongwe South West Central Agnes Nandau Penumlungu DPP Lilongwe City South East Central Wells John Adam DPP Lilongwe City South West Central Peter Stanley Patisi Chalera MCP Lilongwe Msinja North Central Lingson Kambewa W. Belekanyama MCP Lilongwe Msinja South Central Patson Kachingwe Mthyoka MCP Lilongwe South Central Yaumi Aufi Mpaweni UDF Balaka Central East Southern Nasrin Pillane DPP Balaka West Southern George Nnensa Mafunde Balaka South Southern Ibrahim Imed Matola UDF Mangochi North Southern Alfred Mkwanda Mwechumu UDF Mangochi North-East Southern Hassan Ailalie Ajinga UDF Mangochi Malombe Southern Abukakar Mbaya UDF Mangochi East Southern Yusuf Billiati Matumula IND Mangochi South Southern Asibu Shamil UDF Mangochi South West Southern Mahmudu John Lali UDF Mangochi Nkungulu Southern Stephen Okoma Atani Aipira IND Mangochi West Southern Ralph Pachalo Jooma DPP Mangochi Monkey Bay Southern Makumba Abdallah Shabani IND Mangochi Lutende Southern Moffat Malisie Yakiti UDF Mangochi Masongola Southern Atupele Muluzi UDF Machinga North-East Southern Shaibu Kaliati UDF Machinga Central Southern Ernest Yahaya UDF Machinga Central East Southern Kenneth Thomas Kamu UDF Machinga East Southern Harry Fabiano Kamba UDF Machinga South Southern Mwalone Jangiya UDF Machinga Likwenu Southern Rev. Wilson Ndomondo UDF Machinga South East Southern Jenipher Deborah Chilunga DPP Zomba Nsondole Southern Annie Lemani Singani Anambewe DPP Zomba Thondwe Southern Lonie Phiri Chijere Chirwa DPP Zomba Chingale Southern Grace Zinenani Maseko DPP Zomba Changalume Southern Enock Elias Luka DPP Zomba Lisanjala Southern Joyce Banda DPP Zomba Malosa Southern Ted Salule Masangwi DPP Zomba Ntonya Southern Yunus Mussa DPP Zomba Central Southern MacRonald John Table Khwepeya IND Zomba Likangala Southern Peter Chizalo Mangulenje IND Zomba Chisi Southern Reen Bessie Kachere DPP Neno South Southern Gladys Benson Tembo DPP Neno North Southern References
- ^ a b "Malawi president accuses donors of meddling in polls", AFP, 8 May 2009.
- ^ "Malawi president wins re-election". Associated Press / Google. http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jPw2TNoYbBUg8ocqRVXPk-MOnhrgD98B19UG0. Retrieved 2009-05-22.
- ^ a b c "Malawi vote gives president control", Sapa-AP (IOL), 25 May 2009.
- ^ "Malawi to extend voter registration", AFP (IOL), 21 November 2008.
- ^ a b "Constitutional crisis on Malawi candidates", Nyasa Times (The Zimbabwean), 19 February 2009.
- ^ "Malawi paves way for poll", Sapa-AFP (IOL), 20 March 2009.
- ^ a b "Malawi's former president complains of 'intimidation'", AFP, 22 February 2009.
- ^ "DPP endorses Mutharika", AFP (IOL), 22 October 2008.
- ^ "Malawi leader seeks assurances from his party", AFP (IOL), 16 January 2009.
- ^ "Women are ready to stand in Malawi poll", Sapa-AFP (IOL), 17 May 2009.
- ^ "Malawi ex-president charged with graft", AFP, 26 February 2009.
- ^ "Malawi ex-leader fights poll ban". BBC News. 23 March 2009. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7959515.stm. Retrieved 12 May 2010.
- ^ "Malawi court dismiss ex-president's bid for office", AFP, 16 May 2009.
- ^ Raphael Tenthani, "John Tembo: Poised for power?", BBC News, 14 May 2009.
- ^ a b c Raphael Tenthani, "Malawians go to polls Tuesday in closest-ever polls", Pana, 17 May 2009.
- ^ "Fire deputy ministers says Nyondo", The Daily Times, 10 February 2009
- ^ "Nyondo slams Bingu over flashy hummers", The Daily Times, 10 February 2009
- ^ "Bingu Blasts Nyondo", 20 April, 2009
- ^ "First Malawi woman seeks to run for president", AFP, 3 February 2009.
- ^ "Malawi: "Joy Radio" station closed by police", Afrik.com, 20 May 2009.
- ^ a b c "Malawi president wins re-election". BBC. 22 May 2009. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/8062740.stm. Retrieved 22 May 2009.
- ^ "Malawi president is inaugurated". BBC News. 22 May 2009. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8062834.stm. Retrieved 12 May 2010.
- ^ Felix Mponda, "Malawi vote marks new era: analysts", AFP, 21 May 2009.
- ^ http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90777/90855/6669733.html
- ^ "Mutharika starts second term as Malawi president", AFP, 22 May 2009.
- ^ "Malawi opposition leader refuses to step down", Radio Netherlands, 24 May 2009.
- ^ "Malawi Election 2009 Results". African Elections Project. http://www.africanelections.org/malawi/results.php. Retrieved 2011-03-04.
External links
- International academic conference on the 2009 General Elections
- Video Documentary on Malawi's 2009 General Elections
Elections and referendums in MalawiPresidential elections Parliamentary elections Referendums Categories:- Elections in Malawi
- 2009 elections in Africa
- 2009 in Malawi
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