Malawi Government:

Malawi achieved its independence on the 6th of July 1964. The first legislative elections in the country were held in 1961 with most seats won mostly by the Malawi Congress Party (MCP). Dr Hastings Kamuzu Banda and the MCP played a politically important role in the country’s independence struggle.

He became the country’s prime minister on the 1st of February 1963 and became the first President of Malawi upon independence. Banda however asserted his authority and Malawi became a single-party state with Kamuzu Banda declared President for Life in 1971.

He however bowed to pressure from the public, the church and political lobby groups. This led to amendments to the country’s constitution, paving the way for the first multi-party elections in 1994. These elections were won by Bakili Muluzi; leader of the United Democratic Front. The Country’s constitution was re-written in 1995. Elections were again held in 1991 and were won by Bingu wa Mutharika. Presidential and legislative elections are held every five years.