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:

(i) ensuring that voting procedures, facilities and materials are appropriate, accessible and easy to understand and use
(iv) guaranteeing the free expression of their will as voters and, where necessary and at their request, allowing a person of their own choice to assist them in voting

Excerpt from the Malawi Disability Act  

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

Updated: June 2015

Section 13 states:

The State shall actively promote the welfare and development of the people of Malawi by progressively adopting and implementing policies and legislation aimed at achieving the following goals:…

  • (g) To support the disabled through
    • (i) greater access to public places;
    • (ii) fair opportunities in employment; and
    • (iii) the fullest possible participation in all spheres of Malawian society.

 

Section 20, subsection 1 states:

Discrimination of persons in any form is prohibited and all persons are, under any law, guaranteed equal and effective protection against discrimination on grounds of…disability…

 

Section 30, subsection 1 states:

All persons and peoples have a right to development and therefore to the enjoyment of economic, social, cultural and political development and women, children and the disabled in particular shall be given special consideration in the application of this right.

 

Section 31, subsection 3 states:

Every person shall be entitled to fair wages and equal remuneration for work of equal value without distinction or discrimination of any kind, in particular on the basis of gender, disability or race.

 

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 71 states:

A voter who is blind or is affected by disease or other physical disability may vote accompanied by another registered voter of his own choice, or failing such voter, by a polling station officer who shall assist such person in casting his vote and shall act faithfully to the wish expressed by such person and with absolute secrecy regarding the vote cast by such person.

 

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

Electoral Commission Act (1993, last amended 1998)

Updated: June 2015

Section 87 states:

A voter who is blind or is affected by disease or other physical disability may vote accompanied by another registered voter of his own choice or, failing such voter, by a polling station officer who shall assist such person in casting his vote and shall act faithfully to the wish expressed by such person and with absolute secrecy regarding the vote cast by such person.

 

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