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Malawi

National Assembly

Political system

Political systems: Presidential, Parliamentary, Presidential-Parliamentary, Monarchy, Communist, Transitional.

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Presidential system

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Structure of parliament

Structure of parliament: Unicameral, bicameral

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Unicameral

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IPU membership

Current membership status

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Yes

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About parliament

Basic information such as the official name of parliament and details of its structure and leadership. Also includes the current breakdown of MPs by sex and age, and provisions for quotas and reserved seats.

Parliament name
National Assembly
Chamber name
National Assembly

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Structure & status of parliament

This field is to indicate lower/upper in the back end.

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Lower chamber
Parliamentary term (years)

Length of the parliamentary term in years

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5

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IPU membership

Affiliation periods
from 1968 to 2002
from 2010
IPU Geopolitical Group/s

IPU Geopolitical Groups: African Group, Arab Group, Asia-Pacific Group, Eurasia Group, Group of Latin America and the Caribbean (GRULAC), Twelve Plus Group.

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African Group

Speaker

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Official title

The Speaker may for example be known as the Presiding Officer, President, Chairman/Chairperson, etc.

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Speaker of the National Assembly
Speaker
Sameer Gaffar Suleman (Male)
Date of birth: 20 Jun 1977
Term

Start (and end) of the term of the Speaker

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29 Oct 2025
Additional information

Elected on 29 Oct. 2025.

Speaker terms

No information available

Secretary general

Official title

This post is most commonly called Secretary General or Clerk. It may also be called Secretary, Head/Chief of the Secretariat, Director General, etc.

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Clerk
Secretary General
Fiona Kalemba (Female)
Term

Start (and end) of the term of the Secretary general

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No information available

Members

Statutory number of members

Statutory number of members, as defined in the constitution or other fundamental law.

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229

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Principal mode of designation of members
Directly elected

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Directly elected members

Directly elected by citizens.

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193
Current number of members

Number of members who currently hold seats in parliament. May be lower or higher than the statutory number of members.

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224

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Men

The number of male parliamentarians who currently hold seats in parliament.

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176

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Women

The number of female parliamentarians who currently hold seats in parliament.

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48

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Percentage of women

Calculated by dividing the current number of women by the current number of members.

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21.4%

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Statutory number of members per country

As defined in the constitution or other fundamental laws. Combines the number of parliamentarians in both chambers in bicameral parliaments.

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229

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Population (in thousands)

Source: United Nations, World Population Prospects.

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21,104

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Inhabitants per parliamentarian

Calculated by dividing the population by the statutory number of parliamentarians.

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109,347

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Age

Data on the age of parliamentarians is collected at the start of the legislature, following the most recent elections. This data is not updated during the legislature, except when parliament notifies the IPU of a change in the youngest or oldest member.

Average age of all members

Average age of members, for which data is available, at the time of the last election or renewal.

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47.3
(2025-10)

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Youngest member
Rodwell Khombeni (Male)

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Youngest member (years)

Age is calculated at the time the member was elected/appointed to a new legislature. Data is not updated during the legislature unless the member is no longer a member.

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25

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Oldest member
Dr. George Thapatula Chaponda (Male)

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Oldest member (years)

Age is calculated at the time the member was elected/appointed to a new legislature. Data is not updated during the legislature unless the member is no longer a member.

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84

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Number of members, by age (2025-10)

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Breakdown of members by age and gender
18 - 20 21 - 30 31 - 40 41 - 45 46 - 50 51 - 60 61 - 70 71 - 80 81 - 90 91 and over Totals per gender
Male 0 4 32 37 45 49 7 0 1 0 175
Female 0 3 8 9 13 13 2 0 0 0 48
Totals per age interval 0 7 40 46 58 62 9 0 1 0 223
Total <= 45: 93 Total >= 46: 130
Percentage of members, by age
Age at the last election or renewal Overall Male Female
Percentage of MPs 30 years of age or younger

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 3.1% 1.8% 1.3%
Percentage of MPs 40 years of age or younger

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 21.1% 16% 4.9%
Percentage of MPs 45 years of age or younger

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 41.7% 33% 9.0%
Members for whom data is available

Number of members, at the start of the legislature, for whom age data is available

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223
(2025-10)

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Members for whom age data is not available

The number of members at the start of a new legislature for whom age data is unknown

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1
(2025-10)

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Reserved seats and quotas

There are reserved seats in parliament for certain groups

Reserved seats are a means to ensure the parliamentary representation of certain groups in society.

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No

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Women
-

Notes:

Although there is no special law that provides for discounts on nomination fees, the Commission is given powers to determine nomination fees under sections 29 and 40 of the Presidential, Parliamentary and Local Government Elections Act. The Commission has, over the years, exercised discretion to allow women, youth (below 35 years old) and people with disabilities to pay discounted nomination fees as compared to men. This is one way of encouraging these groups to participate in elections as candidates.

A 50% discount on nomination fees was most recently applied to the 2025 general election. Candidates in the three categories (women, under 35s, and disabled people) paid MWK1,250,000 instead of the fee for male candidates of MWK2,500,000.

Sources:

Presidential, Parliamentary and Local Government Elections Act, 2023
https://malawilii.org/akn/mw/act/2023/10/eng@2025-09-05

Determination of nomination fees for 2025 general election, Malawi Electoral Commission, 11 November 2024

Youth

Reserved seats for youth in parliament

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-

Notes:

Although there is no special law that provides for discounts on nomination fees, the Commission is given powers to determine nomination fees under sections 29 and 40 of the Presidential, Parliamentary and Local Government Elections Act. The Commission has, over the years, exercised discretion to allow women, youth (below 35 years old) and people with disabilities to pay discounted nomination fees as compared to men. This is one way of encouraging these groups to participate in elections as candidates.

A 50% discount on nomination fees was most recently applied to the 2025 general election. Candidates in the three categories (women, under 35s, and disabled people) paid MWK1,250,000 instead of the fee for male candidates of MWK2,500,000.

Sources:

Presidential, Parliamentary and Local Government Elections Act, 2023
https://malawilii.org/akn/mw/act/2023/10/eng@2025-09-05

Determination of nomination fees for 2025 general election, Malawi Electoral Commission, 11 November 2024

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Persons with disabilities
-

Notes:

Although there is no special law that provides for discounts on nomination fees, the Commission is given powers to determine nomination fees under sections 29 and 40 of the Presidential, Parliamentary and Local Government Elections Act. The Commission has, over the years, exercised discretion to allow women, youth (below 35 years old) and people with disabilities to pay discounted nomination fees as compared to men. This is one way of encouraging these groups to participate in elections as candidates.

A 50% discount on nomination fees was most recently applied to the 2025 general election. Candidates in the three categories (women, under 35s, and disabled people) paid MWK1,250,000 instead of the fee for male candidates of MWK2,500,000.

Sources:

Presidential, Parliamentary and Local Government Elections Act, 2023
https://malawilii.org/akn/mw/act/2023/10/eng@2025-09-05

Determination of nomination fees for 2025 general election, Malawi Electoral Commission, 11 November 2024

Electoral quota for women

Quotas to promote gender-balanced representation in parliament

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Yes

Notes: Voluntary political party quotas.

Sources: https://www.idea.int/data-tools/data/gender-quotas-database/country?country=134

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Youth quota

Quotas to promote the representation of youth in parliament.

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No

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Links to additional information

Parliamentary website

Link(s) to parliamentary web site in English, French and/or local languages.

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List of members

Link(s) to list of members on the parliamentary web site.

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Rules of procedure/Standing Orders

Link(s) to Rules of procedure on the parliamentary web site in English, French and/or local language.

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Constitution

Official links to the Constitution in English, French and/or original language is provided. Links to unofficial translations where no other source is available.

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Historical data for IPU membership

Historical data for IPU membership
Year IPU membership
2020-09
List of values for 2020-09
No
2019-04
List of values for 2019-04
No
2018-06
List of values for 2018-06
No

Historical data for IPU membership

Historical data for IPU membership
Updated at IPU membership
2010-01 Yes
2003-01 No
1968-01 Yes

Historical data for Chamber name

Historical data for Chamber name
Updated at Chamber name
1964-01 National Assembly
- National Assembly
Official title

The Speaker may for example be known as the Presiding Officer, President, Chairman/Chairperson, etc.

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Speaker of the National Assembly
Speaker
Sameer Gaffar Suleman (Male)
Date of birth: 20 Jun 1977
Term

Start (and end) of the term of the Speaker

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29 Oct 2025
Additional information

Elected on 29 Oct. 2025.
Official title

The Speaker may for example be known as the Presiding Officer, President, Chairman/Chairperson, etc.

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Speaker of the National Assembly
Speaker
Catherine Gotani Hara (Female)
Date of birth: 04 Apr 1974
Term

Start (and end) of the term of the Speaker

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19 Jun 2019 to 28 Oct 2025
Additional information

Elected on 19 June 2019.
Official title

The Speaker may for example be known as the Presiding Officer, President, Chairman/Chairperson, etc.

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Speaker of the National Assembly
Speaker
Richard Msowoya (Male)
Date of birth: 1962
Term

Start (and end) of the term of the Speaker

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16 Jun 2014 to 18 Jun 2019

Historical data for Speaker

Historical data for Speaker
Updated at Speaker
2025-10
Official title

The Speaker may for example be known as the Presiding Officer, President, Chairman/Chairperson, etc.

View field in the data dictionary
Speaker of the National Assembly
Speaker
Sameer Gaffar Suleman (Male)
Date of birth: 20 Jun 1977
Term

Start (and end) of the term of the Speaker

View field in the data dictionary
29 Oct 2025
Additional information

Elected on 29 Oct. 2025.
2019-06
Official title

The Speaker may for example be known as the Presiding Officer, President, Chairman/Chairperson, etc.

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Speaker of the National Assembly
Speaker
Catherine Gotani Hara (Female)
Date of birth: 04 Apr 1974
Term

Start (and end) of the term of the Speaker

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19 Jun 2019 to 28 Oct 2025
Additional information

Elected on 19 June 2019.
-
Official title

The Speaker may for example be known as the Presiding Officer, President, Chairman/Chairperson, etc.

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Speaker of the National Assembly
Speaker
Richard Msowoya (Male)
Date of birth: 1962
Term

Start (and end) of the term of the Speaker

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16 Jun 2014 to 18 Jun 2019

Historical data for Statutory number of members

Historical data for Statutory number of members
Updated at Statutory number of members
2025-09 229
2005-01 193

Historical data for Current number of members

Historical data for Current number of members
Updated at Current number of members
2025-09 224
2022-12 193
2014-05 192
2011-01 193
2010-01 192
2009-05 193
2009-01 192
2004-05 185
1999-01 194
1998-01 177
1997-01 193
1994-01 177
1992-01 146
1988-01 112
1983-01 101
1976-01 87
1971-01 60
1964-01 50

Historical data for Men

Historical data for Men
Updated at Men
2025-09 176
2022-12 153
2019-05 148

Historical data for Women

Historical data for Women
Updated at Women
2025-09 48
2022-12 40
2019-05 44
2014-05 32
2013-01 43
2011-01 41
2010-01 40
2009-05 41
2009-01 40
2004-05 27
1999-01 16
1998-01 10
1997-01 14
1994-01 10
1992-01 17
1988-01 11
1983-01 5
1978-01 8
1976-01 6
1971-01 4
1964-01 1

Historical data for Percentage of women

Historical data for Percentage of women
Updated at Percentage of women
2025-09 21.4%
2022-12 20.7%
2019-05 22.9%
2014-05 16.7%
2013-01 22.3%
2011-01 21.2%
2010-01 20.8%
2009-05 21.2%
2009-01 20.8%
2004-05 14.6%
1999-01 8.2%
1998-01 5.6%
1997-01 7.3%
1994-01 5.6%
1992-01 11.6%
1988-01 9.8%
1983-01 5.0%
1978-01 9.2%
1976-01 6.9%
1971-01 6.7%
1964-01 2.0%

Historical data for Statutory number of members per country

Historical data for Statutory number of members per country
Updated at Statutory number of members per country
2025-09 229
2005-01 193

Historical data for Population (in thousands)

Historical data for Population (in thousands)
Updated at Population (in thousands)
2023-01 21,104
2022-01 20,569
2021-01 20,047
2015-01 17,574
2014-01 17,069
2013-01 16,577
2012-01 16,097
2011-01 15,628
2010-01 15,167
2009-01 14,715
2008-01 14,271
2007-01 13,841
2006-01 13,429
2005-01 13,040
2004-01 12,676
2003-01 12,337
2002-01 12,014
2001-01 11,696
2000-01 11,376
1999-01 11,044
1998-01 10,705
1997-01 10,382
1996-01 10,110
1995-01 9,909
1994-01 9,797
1993-01 9,756
1992-01 9,730
1991-01 9,641
1990-01 9,438
1989-01 9,095
1988-01 8,637
1987-01 8,120
1986-01 7,625
1985-01 7,211
1984-01 6,896
1983-01 6,661
1982-01 6,484
1981-01 6,328
1980-01 6,163
1979-01 5,986
1978-01 5,807
1977-01 5,628
1976-01 5,455
1975-01 5,293
1974-01 5,141
1973-01 4,997
1972-01 4,860
1971-01 4,729
1970-01 4,604
1969-01 4,484
1968-01 4,371
1967-01 4,262
1966-01 4,158
1965-01 4,059
1964-01 3,963
1963-01 3,872
1962-01 3,784
1961-01 3,700
1960-01 3,619
1959-01 3,540
1958-01 3,464
1957-01 3,391
1956-01 3,320
1955-01 3,252
1954-01 3,187
1953-01 3,125
1952-01 3,065
1951-01 3,008
1945-01 2,954

Historical data for Inhabitants per parliamentarian

Historical data for Inhabitants per parliamentarian
Updated at Inhabitants per parliamentarian
2025-09 109,347
2023-01 109,347
2022-01 106,575
2021-01 103,870
2015-01 91,057
2014-01 88,440
2013-01 85,891
2012-01 83,404
2011-01 80,974
2010-01 78,585
2009-01 76,244
2008-01 73,943
2007-01 71,715
2006-01 69,580
2005-01 67,565

Historical data for Average age of all members

Historical data for Average age of all members
Updated at Average age of all members
2025-10 47.3
2019-06 46.8

Historical data for Members for whom data is available

Historical data for Members for whom data is available
Updated at Members for whom data is available
2025-10 223
2019-06 184

Historical data for Members for whom age data is not available

Historical data for Members for whom age data is not available
Updated at Members for whom age data is not available
2025-10 1
2019-06 9
Youngest member
Rodwell Khombeni (Male)
Youngest member (years)

Age is calculated at the time the member was elected/appointed to a new legislature. Data is not updated during the legislature unless the member is no longer a member.

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25
Youngest member
Gladwell Kachikungu Chimdzeka (Male)
Youngest member (years)

Age is calculated at the time the member was elected/appointed to a new legislature. Data is not updated during the legislature unless the member is no longer a member.

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21

Historical data for Youngest member

Historical data for Youngest member
Updated at Youngest member
2025-10
Youngest member
Rodwell Khombeni (Male)
Youngest member (years)

Age is calculated at the time the member was elected/appointed to a new legislature. Data is not updated during the legislature unless the member is no longer a member.

View field in the data dictionary
25
2019-06
Youngest member
Gladwell Kachikungu Chimdzeka (Male)
Youngest member (years)

Age is calculated at the time the member was elected/appointed to a new legislature. Data is not updated during the legislature unless the member is no longer a member.

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21
Oldest member
Dr. George Thapatula Chaponda (Male)
Oldest member (years)

Age is calculated at the time the member was elected/appointed to a new legislature. Data is not updated during the legislature unless the member is no longer a member.

View field in the data dictionary
84
Oldest member
Dr. George Thapatula Chaponda (Male)
Oldest member (years)

Age is calculated at the time the member was elected/appointed to a new legislature. Data is not updated during the legislature unless the member is no longer a member.

View field in the data dictionary
78

Historical data for Oldest member

Historical data for Oldest member
Updated at Oldest member
2025-10
Oldest member
Dr. George Thapatula Chaponda (Male)
Oldest member (years)

Age is calculated at the time the member was elected/appointed to a new legislature. Data is not updated during the legislature unless the member is no longer a member.

View field in the data dictionary
84
2019-06
Oldest member
Dr. George Thapatula Chaponda (Male)
Oldest member (years)

Age is calculated at the time the member was elected/appointed to a new legislature. Data is not updated during the legislature unless the member is no longer a member.

View field in the data dictionary
78
Breakdown of members by age and gender
18 - 20 21 - 30 31 - 40 41 - 45 46 - 50 51 - 60 61 - 70 71 - 80 81 - 90 91 and over Totals per gender
Male 0 4 32 37 45 49 7 0 1 0 175
Female 0 3 8 9 13 13 2 0 0 0 48
Totals per age interval 0 7 40 46 58 62 9 0 1 0 223
Total <= 45: 93 Total >= 46: 130
Percentage of members, by age
Age at the last election or renewal Overall Male Female
Percentage of MPs 30 years of age or younger

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 3.1% 1.8% 1.3%
Percentage of MPs 40 years of age or younger

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 21.1% 16% 4.9%
Percentage of MPs 45 years of age or younger

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 41.7% 33% 9.0%
Breakdown of members by age and gender
18 - 20 21 - 30 31 - 40 41 - 45 46 - 50 51 - 60 61 - 70 71 - 80 81 - 90 91 and over Totals per gender
Male 0 4 37 34 23 41 5 1 0 0 145
Female 0 1 11 9 8 7 3 0 0 0 39
Totals per age interval 0 5 48 43 31 48 8 1 0 0 184
Total <= 45: 96 Total >= 46: 88
Percentage of members, by age
Age at the last election or renewal Overall Male Female
Percentage of MPs 30 years of age or younger

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 2.7% 2.2% 0.5%
Percentage of MPs 40 years of age or younger

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 28.8% 22% 6.5%
Percentage of MPs 45 years of age or younger

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 52.2% 41% 11.4%

Historical data for Breakdown of members by age and sex

Historical data for Breakdown of members by age and sex
Updated at Breakdown of members by age and sex
2025-10
Breakdown of members by age and gender
18 - 20 21 - 30 31 - 40 41 - 45 46 - 50 51 - 60 61 - 70 71 - 80 81 - 90 91 and over Totals per gender
Male 0 4 32 37 45 49 7 0 1 0 175
Female 0 3 8 9 13 13 2 0 0 0 48
Totals per age interval 0 7 40 46 58 62 9 0 1 0 223
Total <= 45: 93 Total >= 46: 130
Percentage of members, by age
Age at the last election or renewal Overall Male Female
Percentage of MPs 30 years of age or younger

Compare data of this field

 3.1% 1.8% 1.3%
Percentage of MPs 40 years of age or younger

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 21.1% 16% 4.9%
Percentage of MPs 45 years of age or younger

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 41.7% 33% 9.0%
2019-06
Breakdown of members by age and gender
18 - 20 21 - 30 31 - 40 41 - 45 46 - 50 51 - 60 61 - 70 71 - 80 81 - 90 91 and over Totals per gender
Male 0 4 37 34 23 41 5 1 0 0 145
Female 0 1 11 9 8 7 3 0 0 0 39
Totals per age interval 0 5 48 43 31 48 8 1 0 0 184
Total <= 45: 96 Total >= 46: 88
Percentage of members, by age
Age at the last election or renewal Overall Male Female
Percentage of MPs 30 years of age or younger

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 2.7% 2.2% 0.5%
Percentage of MPs 40 years of age or younger

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 28.8% 22% 6.5%
Percentage of MPs 45 years of age or younger

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 52.2% 41% 11.4%

Historical data for Percentage of MPs 30 years of age or younger

Historical data for Percentage of MPs 30 years of age or younger
Updated at Percentage of MPs 30 years of age or younger
2025-10 3.1%
2019-06 2.7%

Historical data for Women

Historical data for Women
Updated at Women Notes Sources
2024-11 No information available

Although there is no special law that provides for discounts on nomination fees, the Commission is given powers to determine nomination fees under sections 29 and 40 of the Presidential, Parliamentary and Local Government Elections Act. The Commission has, over the years, exercised discretion to allow women, youth (below 35 years old) and people with disabilities to pay discounted nomination fees as compared to men. This is one way of encouraging these groups to participate in elections as candidates.

A 50% discount on nomination fees was most recently applied to the 2025 general election. Candidates in the three categories (women, under 35s, and disabled people) paid MWK1,250,000 instead of the fee for male candidates of MWK2,500,000.

Presidential, Parliamentary and Local Government Elections Act, 2023
https://malawilii.org/akn/mw/act/2023/10/eng@2025-09-05

Determination of nomination fees for 2025 general election, Malawi Electoral Commission, 11 November 2024

Historical data for Youth

Historical data for Youth
Updated at Youth Notes Sources
2024-11 No information available

Although there is no special law that provides for discounts on nomination fees, the Commission is given powers to determine nomination fees under sections 29 and 40 of the Presidential, Parliamentary and Local Government Elections Act. The Commission has, over the years, exercised discretion to allow women, youth (below 35 years old) and people with disabilities to pay discounted nomination fees as compared to men. This is one way of encouraging these groups to participate in elections as candidates.

A 50% discount on nomination fees was most recently applied to the 2025 general election. Candidates in the three categories (women, under 35s, and disabled people) paid MWK1,250,000 instead of the fee for male candidates of MWK2,500,000.

Presidential, Parliamentary and Local Government Elections Act, 2023
https://malawilii.org/akn/mw/act/2023/10/eng@2025-09-05

Determination of nomination fees for 2025 general election, Malawi Electoral Commission, 11 November 2024

Historical data for Persons with disabilities

Historical data for Persons with disabilities
Updated at Persons with disabilities Notes Sources
2024-11 No information available

Although there is no special law that provides for discounts on nomination fees, the Commission is given powers to determine nomination fees under sections 29 and 40 of the Presidential, Parliamentary and Local Government Elections Act. The Commission has, over the years, exercised discretion to allow women, youth (below 35 years old) and people with disabilities to pay discounted nomination fees as compared to men. This is one way of encouraging these groups to participate in elections as candidates.

A 50% discount on nomination fees was most recently applied to the 2025 general election. Candidates in the three categories (women, under 35s, and disabled people) paid MWK1,250,000 instead of the fee for male candidates of MWK2,500,000.

Presidential, Parliamentary and Local Government Elections Act, 2023
https://malawilii.org/akn/mw/act/2023/10/eng@2025-09-05

Determination of nomination fees for 2025 general election, Malawi Electoral Commission, 11 November 2024

Historical data for Electoral quota for women

Historical data for Electoral quota for women
Updated at Electoral quota for women Notes Sources
2024-07 Yes Voluntary political party quotas. https://www.idea.int/data-tools/data/gender-quotas-database/country?country=134
2013-01 Yes Some political parties allocate/reserve a certain percentage of seats for women.

United Democratic Front (UDF) aims to have 25 percent of its parliamentary seats held by women, according to the party constitution.

Malawi Congress Party [MCP] aims to allocate 33 percent of the seats to women at all levels of the party structure. according to the party Manifesto, women should occupy 30 per cent or more of all decision, policy and managerial positions in the government" (MCP Manifesto of 2004, article 6.6a)