2009 Malawian general election

General Election held in Malawi on 19 May 2009

2009 Malawian general election

* * *

| ← 2004 | 19 May 2009 (2009-05-19) | 2014 →

|
|

Presidential election

|   |  |

|
|

Nominee  | Bingu wa Mutharika | John Tembo |
Party  | DPP | MCP
Running mate  | Joyce Banda | Brown Mpinganjira
Popular vote  | 2,963,820 | 1,365,672
Percentage  | 66.17% | 30.49%

* * *

Results by region (left) and district (right)

* * *

| President before election

Bingu wa Mutharika
DPP

| President

Bingu wa Mutharika
DPP

|

Assembly election

* * *

All 193 seats in the National Assembly
97 seats needed for a majority
| Party  | Leader  | Vote %  | Seats  | +/–

|
|
|
|

| DPP | Bingu wa Mutharika | 39.99  | 114  |
| MCP | John Tembo | 12.94  | 26  | −31
| UDF | Bakili Muluzi | 12.92  | 17  | −32
| Independents |  | 29.12  | 32  | −8

This lists parties that won seats. See the complete results below.

Results by constituency

Part of a series on

Politics of Malawi

Constitution

* Human rights

Government

* President (list)

Lazarus Chakwera
* Vice-President

Michael Usi
* Cabinet

Legislature

* National Assembly

Speaker: Catherine Gotani Hara

Elections

* General

1964 1971 1976 1978 1983 1987 1992 1994 1999 2004 2009 2014 2019 2025

* Presidential

2020

* Referendums

1993

* Political parties

Administrative divisions

* Regions
* Districts

Foreign relations

* Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Minister: Nancy Tembo

* * *

* Diplomatic missions of / in Malawi

* * *

* Passport
* Visa requirements
* Visa policy

National symbols

* Flag
* Anthem

Malawi portal

* Other countries

* v
* t
* e

General elections were held in Malawi on 19 May 2009. Incumbent 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]

## Electoral system

[edit]

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 (MEC)will announce which candidates have been deemed eligible.[7]

## Campaign

[edit]

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 (United Democratic Front) 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]

## Conduct

[edit]

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] 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]

## Results

[edit]

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 2.9 million votes with John Tembo, his nearest rival, winning 1.4 million.

In the National Assembly elections, 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.[22] 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.[23]

### President

[edit]

Candidate| Running mate| Party| Votes| %

|
|
|
|

| Bingu wa Mutharika| Joyce Banda| Democratic Progressive Party| 2,963,820| 66.17
| John Tembo| Brown Mpinganjira| Malawi Congress Party| 1,365,672| 30.49
| Kamuzu Walter Chibambo| Stanley Alex Robert Mnenula| People's Transformation Party| 35,358| 0.79
| Stanley Edingtone Masauli| Sophie Kuthyola| Republican Party| 33,982| 0.76
| Loveness Gondwe| Beatrice Roseby Mwale| New Rainbow Coalition| 32,432| 0.72
| James Mbowe Nyondo| Vivian Mark Thunyani| Independent| 27,460| 0.61
| Dindi Gowa Nyasulu| Chinkhokwe Tyson Banda| Alliance for Democracy| 20,150| 0.45
Total| 4,478,874| 100.00
Valid votes| 4,478,874| 97.45
Invalid/blank votes| 117,028| 2.55
Total votes| 4,595,902| 100.00
Registered voters/turnout| 5,871,819| 78.27
Source: African Elections Database

### National Assembly

[edit]

Party| Votes| %| Seats| +/–
| Democratic Progressive Party| 1,739,202| 39.99| 114| New
| Malawi Congress Party| 562,859| 12.94| 26| –31
| United Democratic Front| 562,025| 12.92| 17| –32
| People's Progressive Movement| 48,389| 1.11| 0| –6
| New Republican Party| 43,009| 0.99| 0| New
| Alliance for Democracy| 38,427| 0.88| 1| –5
| New Rainbow Coalition| 30,847| 0.71| 0| New
| Congress of Democrats| 19,432| 0.45| 0| New
| Maravi People's Party| 17,609| 0.40| 1| New
| People's Transformation Party| 8,498| 0.20| 0| –1
| Malawi Forum for Unity and Development| 6,831| 0.16| 1| +1
| Republican Party| 4,111| 0.09| 0| –15
| Malawi Democratic Party| 456| 0.01| 0| 0
| National Patriotic Front| 438| 0.01| 0| New
| National Unity Party| 284| 0.01| 0| 0
| People's Popular Front| 128| 0.00| 0| New
| Congress for National Unity| 92| 0.00| 0| –1
| Independents| 1,266,681| 29.12| 32| –8
Vacant| | 1| –
Total| 4,349,318| 100.00| 193| 0
Valid votes| 4,349,318| 95.37|
Invalid/blank votes| 211,074| 4.63|
Total votes| 4,560,392| 100.00|
Registered voters/turnout| 5,846,264| 78.01|
Source: MEC

#### Elected MPs

[edit]

A partial list of elected MPs from 156 constituencies:[24]

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
Etta 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
Abel 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

## Aftermath

[edit]

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]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b "Malawi president accuses donors of meddling in polls", AFP, 8 May 2009.
2. ^ "Malawi president wins re-election". Associated Press / Google. Retrieved 2009-05-22.[dead link]
3. ^ a b c "Malawi vote gives president control", Sapa-AP (IOL), 25 May 2009.
4. ^ "Malawi to extend voter registration", AFP (IOL), 21 November 2008.
5. ^ a b "Constitutional crisis on Malawi candidates" Archived 2010-09-23 at the Wayback Machine, Nyasa Times (The Zimbabwean), 19 February 2009.
6. ^ "Malawi paves way for poll", Sapa-AFP (IOL), 20 March 2009.
7. ^ a b "Malawi's former president complains of 'intimidation'", AFP, 22 February 2009.
8. ^ "DPP endorses Mutharika", AFP (IOL), 22 October 2008.
9. ^ "Malawi leader seeks assurances from his party", AFP (IOL), 16 January 2009.
10. ^ "Women are ready to stand in Malawi poll", Sapa-AFP (IOL), 17 May 2009.
11. ^ "Malawi ex-president charged with graft", AFP, 26 February 2009.
12. ^ "Malawi ex-leader fights poll ban". BBC News. 23 March 2009. Retrieved 12 May 2010.
13. ^ "Malawi court dismiss ex-president's bid for office", AFP, 16 May 2009.
14. ^ Raphael Tenthani, "John Tembo: Poised for power?", BBC News, 14 May 2009.
15. ^ a b c Raphael Tenthani, "Malawians go to polls Tuesday in closest-ever polls" Archived 2009-05-20 at the Wayback Machine, Pana, 17 May 2009.
16. ^ "Fire deputy ministers says Nyondo" Archived 2009-02-14 at the Wayback Machine, The Daily Times, 10 February 2009
17. ^ "Nyondo slams Bingu over flashy hummers" Archived 2009-05-31 at the Wayback Machine, The Daily Times, 10 February 2009
18. ^ "Bingu Blasts Nyondo" Archived 2009-04-24 at the Wayback Machine, 20 April 2009
19. ^ "First Malawi woman seeks to run for president", AFP, 3 February 2009.
20. ^ "Malawi: "Joy Radio" station closed by police" Archived 2009-05-28 at the Wayback Machine, Afrik.com, 20 May 2009.
21. ^ a b "Malawi president wins re-election". BBC. 22 May 2009. Retrieved 22 May 2009.
22. ^ Felix Mponda, "Malawi vote marks new era: analysts", AFP, 21 May 2009.
23. ^ "Malawi's new parliament sworn in". People's Daily Online. 2009-06-02. Retrieved 2020-02-05.
24. ^ "Malawi Election 2009 Results". African Elections Project. Archived from the original on 2013-11-04. Retrieved 2025-02-17.
25. ^ "Mutharika starts second term as Malawi president", AFP, 22 May 2009.
26. ^ "Malawi opposition leader refuses to step down" Archived 2009-05-27 at the Wayback Machine, Radio Netherlands, 24 May 2009.

## External links

[edit]

* International academic conference on the 2009 General Elections

* v
* t
* e

Elections and referendums in Malawi

Presidential elections|

* 1994
* 1999
* 2004
* 2009
* 2014
* 2019
* 2020
* 2025

Parliamentary elections|

* 1956
* 1961
* 1964
* 1971
* 1976
* 1978
* 1983
* 1987
* 1992
* 1994
* 1999
* 2004
* 2009
* 2014
* 2019
* 2025

Local elections|

* 1962
* 2000
* 2014
* 2019
* 2025

Referendums|

* 1993

See also: Elections in the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template