FINAL PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS RESULTS ANNOUNCED

UNCLAS LILONGWE 000515 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV KDEM MI SUBJECT: FINAL PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS RESULTS ANNOUNCED SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. The results of the three parliamentary districts with outstanding results, announced on June 4, change the composition of Parliament very little. The Malawi Congress Party and the United Democratic Front both added one to their totals. The third seat went to an independent. At present, the House is eight shy of its full compliment, pending by-elections, which should be conducted within 90 days after the May 20 general elections. At the first session of Parliament, which must convene before July 5, a Speaker will be elected and a 2004-05 national budget approved. END SUMMARY. ¶2. The Malawi Electoral Commission announced on June 4 the results of the three parliamentary districts where "investigations" into vote counting had to be conducted. With the recently announced results, the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) has 57 MPs; the United Democratic Front (UDF) has 50 MPs; and there are 40 independent MPs. ¶3. On June 8, Chief Justice Leonard Unyolo concluded swearing in 182 of the 185 newly elected Members of Parliament. Three of the MPs did not take their oath because one was absent; another was recuperating in the hospital after a car accident; and the third MP's victory is being challenged in court. ¶4. The 193-member House will be complete after the eight by-elections, six in districts where elections did not occur for various reasons and two in the districts of the newly-elected President and Vice President, who are barred from holding two public offices simultaneously. ¶5. Deputy Clerk of Parliament Stanslas Chisanu confirmed that the Speaker of Parliament will be elected during the first session, which is mandated to occur within 45 days after the elections (by July 5). The principal business of the first session will be discussion and approval of the 2004-05 national budget. DOUGHERTY