Elson Bakili Muluzi (born March 17, 1943 in Machinga, Nyasaland) is a Malawian politician. He was the first freely elected President of Malawi from 1994 to 2004. He was also chairman of the United Democratic Front (UDF) until 2009. He replaced Hastings Kamuzu Banda as Malawi's president. He also served in Banda's cabinet as Minister without Portfolio, before retiring in 1980.