Presidential and Legislative Elections in Malawi
The May 20 elections are Malawi’s fifth since transitioning to multiparty democracy in 1994.This election carries special significance given the unexpected death of Malawi's President Bingu wa Mutharika in April 2012, and the appointment of Vice President Joyce Banda to the presidency. Banda became Africa's second sitting female President.This year’s elections are overshadowed by a major corruption scandal, known in Malawi as Cashgate which refers to the siphoning of 30 million dollars of government funds through fraudulent payments and loopholes via Malawi’s Integrated Financial Management Information System (IFMIS) payment platform. Joyce Banda, President of Malawi since 2012 and Africa’s second female president has faced calls to resign but remains ardent to compete in the upcoming elections.
Sources
Q&A: Malawi’s President Banda Confident ‘I Will Win this Election’