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Malawi

Boundary Delimitation

BD01 Are constituencies delimited for election purposes?
a. Yes

Comments: The Independent Electoral Commission is responsible for delimitation every five years, which is submitted to the National Assembly for approval.
Source: Constitution of the republic of Malawi 1994, Article 76, 2(a).
Last updated: 2007-10-04 08:52:02 UTC

BD03 On what criteria are the boundaries drawn?
a. "Equality" of population
b. Respecting natural barriers
d. Conformity with local jurisdiction boundaries
g. Other

Comments: g. Ease of communication
Source: Constitution of the republic of Malawi, 1994, 76, 2(a) (i)-(iii)
Last updated: 2007-10-04 08:56:15 UTC

BD05 The body responsible for drawing the boundaries is:
d. Electoral management body

Comments: The Independent Electoral Commission is responsible for delimitation every five years, which is submitted to the National Assembly for approval.
Source: Constitution of the republic of Malawi 1994, Article 76, 2(a).
Last updated: 2007-10-04 08:57:47 UTC

Direct Democracy

DD01 Please provide information about the person completing the questionnaire.
a. Name and Title: Mr. Sydney Letsholo
b. Job Title: Research Assistant
c. Organisation: EISA
d. Contact Address. 14 Park Road, Richmond, Johannesburg, South Africa
e. Telephone: 0027-11-4825495
f. Facsimile: 0027-11-4826163
g. Email: sydney@eisa.org.za

Last updated: 2006-10-16 16:54:45 UTC

DD02 Which forms of direct democracy, if any, are currently possible at the national level? Please check the glossary for the definition of the following terms:
a. Mandatory referendum

Source: Regulation of 1993: Extraordinary Gazette No. 4A
Last updated: 2006-10-16 16:58:37 UTC

DD03 What is the legal basis for mandatory referendums at the national level?
c. Regulations

Comments: Regulation of 1993: Extraordinary Gazette No. 4A.
Last updated: 2006-10-16 16:58:37 UTC

DD04 What is the legal basis for optional referendums at the national level?
e. Not applicable

Last updated: 2006-10-16 16:58:37 UTC

DD05 What is the legal basis for citizens' initiatives at the national level?
e. Not applicable

Last updated: 2006-10-16 16:58:37 UTC

DD06 What is the legal basis for agenda initiatives at the national level?
e. Not applicable

Last updated: 2006-10-16 16:58:37 UTC

DD07 What is the legal basis for recalls at the national level?
e. Not applicable

Last updated: 2006-10-16 16:58:37 UTC

DD08 What is the legal basis for the administrative requirements for mandatory referendums at the national level? Tick as appropriate and specify the relevant constitutional, legal or regulatory provisions below.
c. Regulations

Source: Regulation of 1993: Extraordinary Gazette No. 4A
Last updated: 2006-10-16 17:03:38 UTC

DD09 What is the legal basis for the administrative requirements for optional referendums at the national level? Tick as appropriate and specify the relevant constitutional, legal or regulatory provisions below.
e. Not applicable

Last updated: 2006-10-16 17:03:38 UTC

DD10 What is the legal basis for the administrative requirements for citizens' initiatives at the national level? Tick as appropriate and specify the relevant constitutional, legal or regulatory provisions below.
e. Not applicable

Last updated: 2006-10-16 17:03:38 UTC

DD106 Which organisation(s), if any, is responsible for running non-partisan information or voter education campaigns to inform voters about the issue being addressed in a referendum?
a. Agency/department responsible for the administration of direct democracy mechanisms

Source: Regulation of 1993, Article 16
Last updated: 2006-10-16 17:22:49 UTC

DD107 Which organisation(s), if any, is responsible for running non-partisan information or voter education campaigns to inform voters about the issue being addressed in an initiative?
g. Not applicable

Last updated: 2006-10-16 17:22:49 UTC

DD108 Which organisation(s), if any, is responsible for running non-partisan information or voter education campaigns to inform voters about the issue being addressed in a recall?
g. Not applicable

Last updated: 2006-10-16 17:22:49 UTC

DD109 What activities, if any, are undertaken as part of non-partisan information or voter education campaigns for a referendum?
a. Information booklets
b. Leaflets and pamphlets
c. Radio broadcasts
d. TV broadcasts
e. Press advertisements

Last updated: 2006-10-16 17:22:49 UTC

DD11 What is the legal basis for the administrative requirements for agenda initiatives at the national level? Tick as appropriate and specify the relevant constitutional, legal or regulatory provisions below.
e. Not applicable

Last updated: 2006-10-16 17:03:38 UTC

DD110 What activities, if any, are undertaken as part of non-partisan information or voter education campaigns for an initiative?
i. Not applicable

Last updated: 2006-10-16 17:22:49 UTC

DD111 What activities, if any, are undertaken as part of non-partisan information or voter education campaigns for a recall?
i. Not applicable

Last updated: 2006-10-16 17:22:49 UTC

DD112 Which of the following controls, if any, apply in relation to campaigning for or against the issue being addressed in a referendum?
g. None

Last updated: 2006-10-16 17:22:49 UTC

DD113 Which of the following controls, if any, apply in relation to campaigning for or against the issue being addressed in an initiative?
h. Not applicable

Last updated: 2006-10-16 17:22:49 UTC

DD114 Which of the following controls, if any, apply in relation to campaigning for or against the issue being addressed in a recall?
h. Not applicable

Last updated: 2006-10-16 17:22:49 UTC

DD119 Which campaigners, if any, are entitled to some forms of public assistance for an initiative? Specify in the “Comments” section below.
f. Not applicable

Last updated: 2006-10-16 17:22:49 UTC

DD12 What is the legal basis for the administrative requirements for recalls at the national level? Tick as appropriate and specify the relevant constitutional, legal or regulatory provisions below.
e. Not applicable

Last updated: 2006-10-16 17:03:38 UTC

DD120 Which campaigners, if any, are entitled to some forms of public assistance for a recall? Specify in the “Comments” section below.
f. Not applicable

Last updated: 2006-10-16 17:22:49 UTC

DD121 Which forms of public assistance, if any, are provided for a referendum? Specify in the “Comments” section below.
b. Free media access

Source: The 1993 Regulation, Article 40
Last updated: 2006-10-16 17:22:49 UTC

DD125 Is the government permitted to campaign either in favour of or against any specific outcome to a referendum, initiatives or recall vote?
b. No

Last updated: 2006-10-16 17:22:49 UTC

DD13 When were direct democracy mechanisms first introduced into the legal framework at the national level? Date (yyyy)
a. Mandatory referendum 1993

Comments: a) 5 February, 1993.
Source: Regulation of 1993: Extraordinary Gazette No. 4A
Last updated: 2006-10-16 17:07:26 UTC

DD14 When was an administrative framework for direct democracy mechanisms first introduced at the national level? Date (yyyy)
a. Mandatory referendum 1993

Comments: a) 5 February, 1993.
Source: Regulation of 1993: Extraordinary Gazette No. 4A
Last updated: 2006-10-16 17:07:26 UTC

DD15 Who is responsible for managing the administration of direct democracy mechanisms at the national level?
e. Other (specify who)

Comments: e) A referendum commission is responsible for this process.
Source: Regulation of 1993: Extraordinary Gazette No. 4A
Last updated: 2006-10-16 17:07:26 UTC

DD16 Does this agency/department also manage the administration of national elections?
b. No

Last updated: 2006-10-16 17:07:26 UTC

DD17 Are mandatory referendums currently possible at first tier (regions/states/provinces, etc) authority level?
c. No

Last updated: 2006-10-16 17:08:29 UTC

DD18 Are optional referendums currently possible at first tier (regions/states/provinces, etc) authority level?
c. No

Last updated: 2006-10-16 17:08:29 UTC

DD19 Are citizens' initiatives currently possible at first tier (regions/states/provinces, etc) authority level?
c. No

Last updated: 2006-10-16 17:08:29 UTC

DD20 Are agenda initiatives currently possible at first tier (regions/states/provinces, etc) authority level?
c. No

Last updated: 2006-10-16 17:08:29 UTC

DD21 Are recalls currently possible at first tier (regions/states/provinces, etc) authority level?
c. No

Last updated: 2006-10-16 17:08:29 UTC

DD22 Are mandatory referendums currently possible at local (municipalities/districts/communes, etc) authority level?
c. No

Last updated: 2006-10-16 17:08:29 UTC

DD23 Are optional referendums currently possible at local (municipalities/districts/communes, etc) authority level?
c. No

Last updated: 2006-10-16 17:08:29 UTC

DD24 Are citizens' initiatives currently possible at local (municipalities/districts/communes, etc) authority level?
c. No

Last updated: 2006-10-16 17:08:29 UTC

DD25 Are agenda initiatives currently possible at local (municipalities/districts/communes, etc) authority level?
c. No

Last updated: 2006-10-16 17:08:29 UTC

DD26 Are recalls currently possible at local (municipalities/districts/communes, etc) authority level?
c. No

Last updated: 2006-10-16 17:08:29 UTC

DD27 What are the issues, if any, in relation to which referendums are mandatory at the national level?
a. Constitutional amendments

Source: Regulation of 1993: Extraordinary Gazette No. 4A
Last updated: 2006-10-16 17:10:40 UTC

DD28 What are the issues, if any, in relation to which referendums are optional at the national level?
l. Not applicable

Last updated: 2006-10-16 17:17:15 UTC

DD29 Which issues, if any, are excluded from being the subject of referendums at the national level?
b. Adoption of international treaties
f. Devolution
g. Civil service
h. Taxes and public expenditure commitments
i. Other public policy issues

Last updated: 2006-10-16 17:10:40 UTC

DD30 Which issues, if any, maybe the subject of sub-national referendums regulated at the national level?
e. None

Last updated: 2006-10-16 17:10:40 UTC

DD31 Who can initiate a referendum at the national level?
c. President

Source: Regulation of 1993: Extraordinary Gazette No. 4A
Last updated: 2006-10-16 17:10:40 UTC

DD32 Who is responsible for drafting the mandatory referendum question?
f. Other (specify who)

Comments: f) The Referendum Commission
Source: Regulation of 1993: Extraordinary Gazette No. 4A
Last updated: 2006-10-16 17:10:40 UTC

DD33 Who is responsible for drafting the optional referendum question?
g. Not applicable

Last updated: 2006-10-16 17:10:40 UTC

DD34 Which of the following, if any, are required to be included in the mandatory referendum question?
a. The title of the proposal
d. The full text of the proposal

Last updated: 2006-10-16 17:15:19 UTC

DD35 Which of the following, if any, are required to be included in the optional referendum question?
f. Not applicable

Last updated: 2006-10-16 17:15:19 UTC

DD36 Which institution(s) decides on the final form of the ballot text for mandatory referendums?
e. Other (specify who)

Comments: e) The Referendum Commission
Source: Malawi Extraordinary Gazette Article 4 (b)
Last updated: 2006-10-16 17:15:19 UTC

DD37 Which institution(s) decides on the final form of the ballot text for optional referendums?
f. Not applicable

Last updated: 2006-10-16 17:15:19 UTC

DD38 What, if any, are the quorum requirements for a mandatory referendum to be valid? Please specify numbers/percentages.

Last updated:

DD39 What, if any, are the quorum requirements for a optional referendum to be valid? Please specify numbers/percentages.
d. Not applicable x

Last updated: 2006-10-17 09:40:57 UTC

DD40 What are the requirements for mandatory referendums to pass?
a. Simple majority (>50%)

Source: Malawi Extraordinary Gazette Article 91 (1)
Last updated: 2006-10-16 17:15:19 UTC

DD41 What are the requirements for optional referendums to pass?
e. Not applicable

Last updated: 2006-10-16 17:19:41 UTC

DD43 When is the outcome of a mandatory referendum binding?
a. Always

Last updated: 2006-10-16 17:19:41 UTC

Electoral Management

EM01 Please provide the following contact information for the national electoral management body:
a. Name of Institution The Malawi Electoral Commission
b. Full Address Development House, Private Bag 113, Blantyre, Malawi
c. Telephone +265-(0)-1-623960
e. Email melc@malawi.net ; chair.mec@malawi.net
f. Website Address http://www.sdnp.org.mw/%7Esolomon/mec/
g. Name and Title of Chairperson/President Justice James Kalaile
h. Information Officer F Lipenga
i. Official language of the electoral law governing national elections English

Source: Official web site of Malawi Electoral Commission, "Contacts", [www] http://www.sdnp.org.mw/%7Esolomon/mec/
Last updated: 2007-10-03 13:30:37 UTC

EM02 Does this national electoral body have the responsibility for elections at:
a. National level
c. Local level

Source: Constitution 1994, Article 76(2); Electoral Commission Act (1998), 8(1).
Last updated: 2007-09-14 12:25:23 UTC

EM04 The budget of the national electoral management body is determined by:
c. The legislature
f. Donors

Comments: The MEC is funded in the main by parliamentary appropriations and in part by foreign donors.
Source: Electoral Commission Act 1998, 15(1).
Last updated: 2007-10-04 07:33:51 UTC

EM05 The expenditures of the national electoral management body are controlled by:
g. Other

Comments: The funds of the Commission shall be under the control of the Commission and all expenditure of the funds shall be in accordance with the directions of the Commission.
Source: Electoral Commission Act 1998, 15(3).
Last updated: 2007-10-04 07:33:51 UTC

EM06 The term of the members of the national electoral management body is:
b. For a term of _________ years

Comments: Office is for a four year period, and Commissioners may be appointed for a new four-year term.
Source: Constitution 1994, 75(3)(a).
Last updated: 2007-10-03 13:32:49 UTC

EM08 According to official sources, what was the estimated overall cost (in US dollars if available) of the most recent national elections?

Last updated: 2007-09-14 12:08:39 UTC

EM09 What was the total number of registered voters or, where there was no voter roll, the estimated number of eligible voters?
a. Total number: 5 071 822

Last updated: 2007-09-14 12:08:39 UTC

EM10 What was the spending (in USD) per registered voter (NOT actual voters) or, where there was no voter roll, the estimated number of eligible voters at the last general elections?

Last updated: 2007-09-14 12:08:39 UTC

EM11 What are the approximate proportions (%) of total election expenditure for the last national elections devoted to the following?

Last updated: 2007-09-14 12:08:39 UTC

Electoral Systems

ES01 How is the Head of State selected?
b. Directly elected in general elections (simple majority)

Comments: The President is both Head of State and Government, and is directly elected through universal suffrage by a plurality.
Source: Constitution of the Republic of Malawi 1994, Article 78.
Last updated: 2007-09-14 11:26:31 UTC

ES02 How is the Head of Government selected?
a. Directly elected in general elections (simple majority)

Comments: The President is both Head of State and Government, and is directly elected through universal suffrage by a plurality.
Source: Constitution of the Republic of Malawi 1994, Article 78.
Last updated: 2007-09-14 11:27:25 UTC

ES03 Does the country have a president?
a. Yes

Comments: The President who is both Head of State and Government is restricted to two five year terms.
Source: Constitution of the Republic of Malawi 1994, Article 78.
Last updated: 2007-09-14 11:25:43 UTC

ES04 The national legislature consists of (one/two chambers):
a. One chamber

Comments: Legislative Power is vested in a parliament consisting of the President and the National Assembly.The National Assembly consists of 193 members representing constituencies, directly elected by universal adult suffrage.
Source: Constitution of the Republic of Malawi 1994, 49(1),62, 67.
Last updated: 2007-09-14 11:34:44 UTC

ES05 What is the electoral system for Chamber 1 of the national legislature?
a. Plurality (FPTP)

Comments: The National Assembly consists of 193 members representing constituencies, directly elected by universal adult suffrage. The life of the Assembly is five years.
Source: Constitution of the Republic of Malawi 1994, Article 62, 67.
Last updated: 2007-09-14 11:36:25 UTC

ES11 If special constituencies or seats are reserved in Chamber 1, specify which interest groups, and the proportion of total seats reserved for:
d. Other- proportion of total seats (%) 32 seats are reserved overall for all interest groups mentioned in the previous question.

Last updated: 2007-09-14 10:45:52 UTC

ES13 If special constituencies or seats are reserved in Chamber 2, specify which interest groups, and the proportion of total seats reserved:

Last updated: 2007-09-14 10:45:52 UTC

Legislative Framework

LF01 What is the status of the electoral law governing national elections?
a. Part of Constitution
b. Separate legislation

Comments: Key legislation is: Constitution of the Republic of Malawi, 1994. Parliamentary and Presidential Elections Act, 1993. Electoral Commission Act, 1998. Political Parties (Registration and Regulation) Act, 1993.
Last updated: 2007-10-04 07:23:53 UTC

LF03 The national electoral law covers:
a. National elections

Comments: National elections are governed by the Parliamentary and Presidential Elections Act 1993. Local elections are governed by the Local Government Elections Act 1996 and the Local Government Act 1998.
Last updated: 2007-10-04 07:23:53 UTC

LF04 Is voting on the national level voluntary or compulsory?
a. Voting is voluntary

Last updated: 2007-09-14 11:59:59 UTC

LF07 What are the agency(ies) responsible for first level of formal electoral disputes?
b. EMB

Comments: Election petitions and complaints are handled by the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC). Appeals against the MEC rulings are made to the High Court.
Source: Parliamentary and Presidential Elections Act 1993, 97, 113, 114; Constitution 1994, Article 76(2)(b), (3), (5)(a).
Last updated: 2007-10-04 07:23:53 UTC

Media and Elections

ME01 Please provide information about the person completing the questionnaire.

Last updated: 2006-12-11 15:56:34 UTC

ME11 What laws, if any, guarantee freedom of access to public information for representatives of the media?

Last updated: 2006-12-11 15:56:34 UTC

ME13 What are the laws, if any, which govern the operations of the public broadcaster? Specify the date of the latest version (including latest amendments)

Last updated: 2006-12-11 15:56:34 UTC

ME18 What are the laws, if any, that provide for the safeguards for editorial autonomy in relation to the public broadcaster(s)?

Last updated: 2006-12-11 15:56:34 UTC

ME19 What are the laws, if any, which govern the granting of broadcasting licenses/frequencies to private broadcasters?

Last updated: 2006-12-11 15:56:34 UTC

ME22 What are the legal conditions, if any, under which the activities of a media outlet may be suspended?

Last updated: 2006-12-11 15:56:34 UTC

ME37 What are the criteria for allocating free broadcast time and/or free printed advertisement space to political parties?
a. Equal regardless of size of party and previous performance

Comments: Applies only to state broadcast media. The Malawi Electoral Commission is required to allocate equal time on the radio for parties to campaign and to monitor public news broadcasts to ensure equal coverage of parties.
Source: Parliamentary and Presidential Elections Act 1993, 63(1)(a),(2)
Last updated: 2007-10-04 13:35:51 UTC

ME38 What, if any, is the maximum amount that a political party is permitted to spend on paid advertising during a campaign period?
b. The law does not specify any limits on paid advertising X

Comments: The law does not specify any limits on paid advertising
Last updated: 2007-09-26 12:26:33 UTC

ME55 What, if any, is the maximum amount that a presidential candidate is permitted to spend on paid advertising?

Last updated: 2006-12-11 15:56:34 UTC

ME56 What are the laws, if any, which govern the disclosure of campaign advertising expenditures by political parties and candidates?

Last updated: 2006-12-11 15:56:34 UTC

ME57 What, if any, is the maximum amount that a media outlet can charge parties/candidates for advertising during the campaign?

Last updated: 2006-12-11 15:56:34 UTC

ME58 How does this maximum amount (identified in question C.15.1) affect the political participation of smaller or newly formed parties?

Last updated: 2006-12-11 15:56:34 UTC

ME60 What legal requirements, if any, regulate the participation of candidates or party representatives in media debates?

Last updated: 2006-12-11 15:56:34 UTC

ME62 What is the blackout period, if any, during which results of pre-election opinion polls may not be released to the public?
g. Not applicable

Comments: No restrictions are placed on opinion polls.
Last updated: 2007-10-04 13:37:41 UTC

Parties and Candidates

PC01 What are the registration requirements for political parties running for national elections (Chamber 1)?
a. Signature requirement (specify requirement)
b. Deposit requirement (specify amount)
f. Other

Comments: a. Names and addresses of 100 registered members f. Particulars of head office, two copies of the party's constitution, rules and manifesto, names and addresses of office-bearers
Source: Political Parties (Registration and Regulation) Act, 1993
Last updated: 2007-10-04 13:15:50 UTC

PC02 What are the registration requirements for political parties running for national elections (Chamber 2)?
g. Not applicable

Comments: Malawi has a unicameral parliament
Last updated: 2007-10-04 10:42:56 UTC

PC03 What are the legal qualifications to become a candidate at legislative elections (Chamber 1)?
a. Age
b. Citizenship
i. Minimum level of literacy
j. Other

Comments: Every candidate should be a citizen of Malawi and has attained the age of 21 and to speak and read the English language well enough to take an active part in the proceedings of the National Assembly.
Source: Constitution of the republic of Malawi 1994, Article 51
Last updated: 2007-10-04 10:51:26 UTC

PC08 Can independent candidates compete in presidential or legislative elections?
b. In presidential elections
c. In legislative elections (Chamber 1)

Source: Parliamentary and Presidential Elections Act 1993, 37(2)(e), 49(1)(d)
Last updated: 2007-10-04 13:15:50 UTC

PC12 Do political parties receive direct/indirect public funding?
b. Direct

Comments: The State shall provide funds so as to ensure that, during the life of any Parliament, any political party which has secured more than one-tenth of the national vote in elections to that Parliament has sufficient funds to continue to represent its constituency.
Source: Constitution of the Republic of Malawi 1994, Article 40(2).
Last updated: 2007-10-04 12:17:22 UTC

PC15 What is the basis of the public funding?
b. Based on result of previous election

Comments: The law does not specify how the funds are distributed and secondary sources are unclear on the subject, but it seems to be based on the proportion of votes received in the last National Assembly election.
Source: Constitution of the Republic of Malawi 1994, Article 40(2). EISA 2006 "Malawi: Party funding", http://www.eisa.org.za/WEP/malparties3.htm
Last updated: 2007-10-04 13:15:50 UTC

PC17 Are political parties entitled to private funding?
a. Yes

Comments: Parties are free to receive any amounts of funds from any source whatsoever barring funds from state bodies and public owned corporations. There are no limits on expenditures and no requirements to disclose either sources or deployment of funds.
Source: Parliamentary and Presidential Elections Act 1993, 66.
Last updated: 2007-10-04 13:15:50 UTC

Vote Counting

VC04 Following the close of the voting, where are the votes first sorted and counted?
a. At the polling stations

Comments: After the close of the poll ballot the votes are counted by the Presiding Officer in the presence of political party representative
Source: Parliamentary and Presidential Elections Act 1993, 92.
Last updated: 2007-09-26 12:01:46 UTC

VC11 Under what conditions are ballots recounted?
e. Court order

Source: Parliamentary and Presidential Elections Act 1993, 114, (4)
Last updated: 2007-10-04 13:27:25 UTC

VC16 If preliminary results are announced, how long after the close of polls is this done?

Last updated: 2007-09-26 12:01:46 UTC

Voter Education

VE01 Who conducts voter education and information campaigns at the national elections (informing where, when and how to register and vote)?
a. National Electoral Management Body
g. NGOs/ Civic Organizations
h. Political parties/ candidates

Comments: Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) is tasked by law with conducting voter and civic education. Civil Society Organisations intending to conduct civic education are required to be accredited by the MEC.
Source: Electoral Commission Act (1998), 8(1)(j). EISA Election Observer Mission Report: Malawi Parliamentary And Presidential Elections 20 May 2004, 16-17, [www] http://www.eisa.org.za/PDF/m04eomr.pdf.
Last updated: 2007-10-04 09:01:10 UTC

VE02 At the national level, how often are voter education programs conducted?
b. Election time only

Source: EISA Election Observer Mission Report: Malawi Parliamentary And Presidential Elections 20 May 2004, 16-17, [www] http://www.eisa.org.za/PDF/m04eomr.pdf.
Last updated: 2007-10-03 13:55:37 UTC

VE03 Is there a national civic education campaign (rights and responsibilities of citizens)?
b. Yes, conducted by the National Electoral Management Body
h. Yes, conducted by NGOs/ Civic Organizations

Comments: Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) is tasked by law with conducting voter and civic education. Civil Society Organisations intending to conduct civic education are required to be accredited by the MEC.
Source: Electoral Commission Act (1998), 8(1)(j). EISA Election Observer Mission Report: Malawi Parliamentary And Presidential Elections 20 May 2004, 16-17, [www] http://www.eisa.org.za/PDF/m04eomr.pdf.
Last updated: 2007-10-04 09:01:10 UTC

Voting Operations

VO03 Where can electors vote?
a. At a specified polling station in the locality where they are registered at national elections
j. Other

Comments: j. A person shall be allowed to vote at a polling station located at the registration centre where he is registered. If it is not possible to do so, a voter may be granted the right to vote at a polling station located at a place where he will be on polling day.
Source: Parliamentary and Presidential Elections Act 1993, 75 (1),(2)
Last updated: 2007-10-04 10:10:39 UTC

VO05 If voting outside the country is permitted, at what places?
g. Not applicable

Comments: No provision is made for expatriates to vote.
Last updated: 2007-09-26 10:16:26 UTC

VO10 Is there a maximum allowable voter capacity of a polling station for the national elections?

Last updated: 2007-02-02 08:50:51 UTC

VO11 How do electors cast their votes?
a. By manually marking the ballot

Comments: The law allows the Malawi Electoral Commission to determine how voters vote. The established practice is manually mark the ballot.
Source: Parliamentary and Presidential Elections Act 1993, 86(3)
Last updated: 2007-10-04 10:15:31 UTC

VO12 How many staff are assigned to each polling station?

Last updated: 2007-02-02 08:50:51 UTC

VO13 Approximately how many hours of training were provided to the presiding polling officer for the most recent national elections?

Last updated: 2007-02-02 08:50:51 UTC

VO14 Approximately how many hours of training were provided to the other polling officials for the most recent national elections?

Last updated: 2007-02-02 08:50:51 UTC

Voter Registration

VR01 What is the legal voting age in the national elections?
c. 18

Comments: Every Malawian who shall have reached the age of 18 years on the day of the election is eligible to vote.
Source: Constitution of the Republic Malawi 1994, 77(2)(b).
Last updated: 2007-10-04 09:13:43 UTC

VR02 Beyond age, what other qualifications exist for registering to vote and voting in the national elections?
a. Citizenship
b. Period of Residence
e. Other

Comments: e. Those with who are mentally incompetent or who have criminal records are disqualified from voting
Source: Constitution of the Republic Malawi 1994, 77(2),(3).
Last updated: 2007-10-04 09:13:43 UTC

VR04 Which is the authority responsible for the registration of voters for national elections?
d. Election Management Body (specify)

Source: Parliamentary and Presidential Elections Act, 1993, 21-24.
Last updated: 2007-10-03 14:30:01 UTC

VR08 Is it compulsory to be on the voters register?
b. No

Comments: Registration voluntary and periodic.
Source: Parliamentary and Presidential Elections Act 1993, 21-24.
Last updated: 2007-09-26 10:06:30 UTC

VR09 Approximately what percentage (on the basis of cost) of registration supplies and equipment are obtained or produced within the country?

Last updated: 2007-09-26 09:53:34 UTC

20/05/2008 07:19