Malawi's 2014 tripartite elections: electoral governance tested

What went wrong with Malawi's controversial 2014 elections and how could the electoral framework be improved?

Malawi’s 2014 presidential and parliamentary elections tested the country’s democracy. Unlike the past four general elections (in 1994, 1999, 2004 and 2009), the 2014 electoral process was tumultuous, controversial and challenged. In particular, the High Court became involved in key decisions affecting the election outcome, and the first-past-the-post system has not had a beneficial effect on democracy. This indicates a need to review Malawi’s electoral governance framework before the country’s democracy is threatened.

This report looks at the elections, diagnosing what went wrong, examining the implications and putting forward proposals for possible reforms.

About the author

Baldwin Chiyamwaka is a communications specialist, development practitioner, educationist and researcher. He previously worked as the executive director for the Human Rights Consultative Committee, deputy country director for VSO International Malawi Office, and executive director for the Media Council of Malawi among other roles. He holds an MBA from the Cyprus Institute of Management, an MA from Sheffield Hallam University and a BA from the University of South Africa.