/ 27 May 1999

MALAWIANS FLOCK TO REGISTER

MORE than five million Malawians have registered to vote in general elections on June 15, the electoral commission said on Wednesday. Chairman James Kalaile said the voters represent 102% of the projected number of eligible Malawians. Voter registration has been hit by a number of problems, causing it to be extended twice and forcing a delay in the vote from May 25 to June 15. Four candidates are challenging incumbent President Bakili Muluzi, who ousted former dictator Kamuzu Banda in the country’s first multiparty elections in 1994. A total of 668 candidates are contesting 193 parliamentary seats.