Close shave

After narrowly winning a second term, President Muluzi faces tough opponents

Close-run and bad-tempered, Malawi's 15 June elections have sparked off several street confrontations and plenty of litigation. However, President Bakili Muluzi looks set to ride the storm, helped by a marginally bigger vote in the presidential and parliamentary polls than in 1994. Muluzi got 51 per cent of the presidential vote compared to runner-up Gwanda Chakuamba's 43 per cent. And in parliament Muluzi's United Democratic Front has an effective two seat majority over the opposition alliance. Opposition parties and some long-term foreign observers said the elections were a sham but the mainstream international monitors and the Organisation of African Unity declared them 'largely free and fair'.

Article Tags:
Bakili Muluzi, Gwanda Chakuamba, Bazuka Mhango, Justin Malewezi, Chakufwa Chihana, Joseph Kubwalo, Sam Mpasu, Chenda Mkandawire, Brown Mpinganjira, Dumbo Lemani

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