Malawi

Population Statistics

17,964,697

Total Population

2,694,705

Population with a disability

according to World Health Organization’s 15% estimate

Election Dates

27 August 2009

Ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities


Malawi Disability Act (2012)

Updated: June 2018

Article 16 states: 

The Government shall, through deliberate policies and measures, guarantee participation in political and public life by persons with disabilities, by:

(a) creating a conducive environment for persons with disabilities to effectively and fully exercise their political rights, directly or through their freely chosen representatives, by:
(ii) protecting their right to freely vote by secret ballot in elections and public referendum;

 

Excerpt from the Malawi Disability Act  

Constitution of the Republic of Malawi (1994, last amended 2010)

Updated: June 2015

Section 6 states:

Save as otherwise provided in this Constitution, the authority to govern derives from the people of Malawi as expressed through universal and equal suffrage in elections held in accordance with this Constitution in a manner prescribed by an Act of Parliament.

 

Section 40 states:

Save as otherwise provided in this Constitution, every person shall have the right to vote, to do so in secret and to stand for election for public office.

 

Section 77, subsection 1 states:

All persons shall be eligible to vote in any general election, by-election, presidential election, local government election or referendum, subject only to this section.

 

Excerpts from the Constitution of the Republic of Malawi (1994, last amended 2010)

Local Government Elections Act (1996, last amended 1999)

Updated: July 2015

Section 6 states:

Any person residing in Malawi and who, on or before the polling day, shall have attained the age of eighteen years shall be eligible to register as a voter in an election.

 

Excerpt from the Local Government Elections Act (1996, amended 1999)

Electoral Commission Act (1993, last amended 1998)

Updated: June 2015

Section 15 states:

Every citizen of Malawi residing in Malawi and who, on or before the polling day, shall have attained the age of eighteen years shall be eligible to register as a voter in an election.

 

Excerpt from the Electoral Commission Act (1993, amended 1998)