LILONGWE : Malawi Elections
The Central African country of Malawi today holds its first democratic elections since winning independence from Britain in 1964. The main figure, as always in Malawi, is H. Kamuzu Banda, an aging despot who outlawed political opposition and proclaimed himself leader for life.
Now in his 90s, Banda assumed the presidency for life in 1971, seven years after the nation broke loose from British rule, and has governed with a hard hand.
About 3.7 million of the country’s 9.7 million people are expected to vote in the elections, which are being contested by eight parties after the reclusive Banda finally agreed to an open vote.
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