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.

President Bakili Muluzi won a second five-year term Friday, but his ruling party failed to capture a majority in parliament, according to official election results. Muluzi won 2.4 million votes, or 51.3%, in Malawi's second democratic elections Tuesday. Just more than 2.1 million votes, or 44.3%, went to his main opposition rival, Gwanda Chakuamba. Three other presidential candidates took the remainder. The inauguration was scheduled for Monday.

Opposition groups demanded Wednesday that Malawi convert to multi-party rule after referendum results showed rejection of President H. Kamuzu Banda's iron-fisted regime. Brown Chimphamba, chairman of the commission that ran Monday's non-binding referendum, announced on state radio that 63% of voters prefer a Western-style political system to Banda's one-party rule. Thousands of people poured out of shops, offices and factories after the announcement in this southeastern African nation.

People beheaded black roosters and drivers tooted horns Wednesday to celebrate early vote returns that showed Africa's longest-ruling dictator heading for defeat in Malawi's first multi-party election. President H. Kamuzu Banda, who has ruled since independence from Britain in 1964, was far behind a former ally, Bakili Muluzi. Small groups of Muluzi's supporters danced joyously holding headless black roosters the symbol of Banda's ruling party. A source at state-run Malawi Broadcasting Corp.

President Bakili Muluzi won a second five-year term Friday, but his ruling party failed to capture a majority in parliament, according to official election results. Muluzi won 2.4 million votes, or 51.3%, in Malawi's second democratic elections Tuesday. Just more than 2.1 million votes, or 44.3%, went to his main opposition rival, Gwanda Chakuamba. Three other presidential candidates took the remainder. The inauguration was scheduled for Monday.

People beheaded black roosters and drivers tooted horns Wednesday to celebrate early vote returns that showed Africa's longest-ruling dictator heading for defeat in Malawi's first multi-party election. President H. Kamuzu Banda, who has ruled since independence from Britain in 1964, was far behind a former ally, Bakili Muluzi. Small groups of Muluzi's supporters danced joyously holding headless black roosters the symbol of Banda's ruling party. A source at state-run Malawi Broadcasting Corp.

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.

Opposition groups demanded Wednesday that Malawi convert to multi-party rule after referendum results showed rejection of President H. Kamuzu Banda's iron-fisted regime. Brown Chimphamba, chairman of the commission that ran Monday's non-binding referendum, announced on state radio that 63% of voters prefer a Western-style political system to Banda's one-party rule. Thousands of people poured out of shops, offices and factories after the announcement in this southeastern African nation.