Malawi: 1961 Legislative Council election results

Updated April 2007

The election was held in August 1961. According to Lodge et al (2002, 121):

The 1960 constitution provided for a legislative council of 28 members and five officials elected on the basis of a qualified franchise. There were two voters' rolls: voters on the higher roll elected eight members, and those on the lower roll voted for 20 representatives. All voters had to be 21 years of age. In August 1961 elections were held under this constitution.

The election conducted on the lower roll was resoundingly won by the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) which garnered more than 99% (Lodge et al 2002, 121).

Voting statistics

Roll	Registered	Turnout	% registered	Seats	% seats
Lower	106 095	91.5%	96.1	20	71.4
Higher	4 337	85.0%	3.9	8	28.6
Total	110 432	91.2%	100.0	28	100.0

Seat allocation

Party	Lower	Higher	Total
Malawi Congress Party (MCP)	20	2	22
United Federal Party	0	5	5
Independents	0	1	1
Christian Liberation Party (CLP)	0	0	0
Total	20	8	28

Table source

Lodge et al 2002, 121-122.

Reference

LODGE, T, KADIMA, D & POTTIE, D (eds) 2002 Compendium of Elections in Southern Africa, EISA.