Type: multiparty democracy following a referendum on 14 June 1993; formerly a one-party republic
Capital: Lilongwe
Administrative divisions: 24 districts; Blantyre, Chikwawa,
Chiradzulu, Chitipa, Dedza, Dowa, Karonga, Kasungu, Lilongwe, Machinga
(Kasupe), Mangochi, Mchinji, Mulanje, Mwanza, Mzimba, Ntcheu, Nkhata
Bay, Nkhotakota, Nsanje, Ntchisi, Rumphi, Salima, Thyolo, Zomba
Independence: 6 July 1964 (from UK)
National holiday: Independence Day, 6 July (1964)
Constitution: 6 July 1966; republished as amended January 1974
Legal system: based on English common law and customary law; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court of Appeal; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government: President Bakili MULUZI (since
21 May 1994), leader of the United Democratic Front
cabinet: Cabinet; named by the president
Legislative branch: unicameral
National Assembly: elections last held 17 May 1994 (next to be held
1999); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (177 total) UDF
84, AFORD 33, MCP 55, others 5