revisit the law
Democracy Works Foundation (DWF) has asked the Malawi Government to consider funding all political parties in the country for democracy to thrive.
As things stand, political parties that get 10 percent of the national vote qualify for State funding, in line with Section 40(2) of the Republican Constitution.
DWF Regional Director Augustine Magolowondo said it is important to consider bankrolling all political parties in the country.
“Out of six political parties in Parliament, only the United Democratic Front (UDF), Democratic Progressive Party and Malawi Congress Party receive government funding. There is a need to revisit the law as that clause [10 percent national vote] will eventually kill multiparty democracy.
“Multiparty democracy is about competition. As such, parties can only compete better if they are playing on an equal footing. It is, therefore, crucial that all parties that are in Parliament should be getting funding, which will help promote democracy,” Magolowondo said.
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UDF secretary general Kandi Padambo said the 10 percent threshold retards competition in a democracy.
He said it is high time laws of the land were changed to accommodate all parties.
“I think the time has come for our nation to borrow a leaf from other nations, when it comes to political funding. The main reason the government should fund all parties is for democracy not to shrink,” Padambo said.
Governance expert Nandini Patel said democracy needs to be protected at all cost.
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She said the government should take a leading role in making sure that democracy works.
“There are things that need to be safeguarded if democracy is to continue. The issue of political funding is something that needs to be looked into soberly for the parties to be benefitting,” Patel said.
