The constitution provides for an independent judiciary. Malawi's judicial system, based on the English model, is made up of magisterial lower courts, a High Court, and a Supreme Court of Appeal. Local government is carried out in 28 districts within three regions administered by regional administrators and district commissioners who are appointed by the central government. Local elections, the first in the multi-party era, took place in on November 21, 2000. The UDF party won 70% of the seats in this election.

The third multiparty presidential and parliamentary elections, originally planned for May 18, 2004 were postponed by two days following a High Court appeal by the main opposition Mgwirizano (Unity) coalition. The run-up to the poll was overshadowed by opposition claims of irregularities in the voters' roll. European Union and Commonwealth observers said although voting passed peacefully, they were concerned about "serious inadequacies" in the poll.

Ministers
Minister of State for Statutory Corporations--Elizabeth Aipira
Minister of State in the Office of the President--Richard Msowoya
Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation--Joyce Banda
Ministry for Industry, Trade and Private Sector Development--Dr. Ken Lipenga
Minister for Education and Vocational Training--Anna Kachikho
Minister for Defence--Davies Katsonga
Minister for Lands, Housing and Surveys--Henry Phoya
Minister for Home Affairs and Internal Security--Bob Khamisa
Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs--Bazuka Mhango
Minister for Labour and Social Development--Khumbo Chirwa
Minister for Health--Marjorie Ngaunje
Minister for Women and Child Development--Kate Kainja-Kaluluma
Minister for Persons with Disabilities and the Elderly--Clement Khembo

Ambassador to the United States--Ambassador Bernard Sande
Permanent Representative to the United Nations--Prof. Brown Chimphamba

Malawi maintains an embassy in the United States at 1156 15 ^th Street, NW, Suite 320, Washington, DC 20005 (tel. 202-721-0270; fax 202-721-0288). Malawi's Permanent Mission to the United Nations is located at: 600 Third Avenue, 30th Floor, New York, NY 10016 (tel. 212-949-0180; Fax: 212-599-5021. Malawi also maintains an Honorary Consulate in the Los Angeles area. Dr. J.F. Clements, Malawi Honorary Consul, Malawi Consulate may be reached at 44970 Via Renaissance, Temecula, California 92590 (office number, 951-676-2476; fax number, 951-676-1568; and e-mail, malawiconsul@yahoo.com ).