Research conducted by the Centre for Social Research at the University of Malawi, under the Afrobarometer programme, has revealed that an alarming 77 percent of Malawians believe the Office of the Vice President should be abolished.
This striking figure, along with the consistency of the findings across various demographic groups and political affiliations, offers a critical commentary on a political office that many perceive as having little or no purpose.
The research suggests that, in its current form, the Office of the Vice President has failed to fulfil its constitutional mandate.
Instead, it has largely become a ceremonial position, with little tangible impact on governance or the daily lives of ordinary Malawians.
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The officeholder typically performs delegated duties, attends public events alongside the president or has the honour of seeing the president off at the airport.
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The fact that 77 percent of the population feels the office should be abolished is significant, especially as the survey’s findings transcend party lines.
The survey points to a widespread belief that the vice president’s role is neither essential nor effective.
This raises important questions about Malawi’s political and constitutional structure, particularly regarding the relevance of positions that, in practice, seem to contribute little to the functioning of government.
At the heart of the issue lies Section 79 of the Constitution, which provides for the creation of the Office of the Vice President.
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According to this section, the vice president is supposed to assist the president and exercise powers and functions delegated by the Constitution or the president.
However, while Section 79 clearly establishes the office, the Constitution is notably vague on the specific powers, duties, and responsibilities of the vice president.
This lack of clarity has resulted in significant ambiguity regarding the role and the officeholder’s capacity to influence or direct policy.
This constitutional gap has left the officeholder in a precarious position, often reliant on the president’s goodwill to determine their duties.
In practice, the role of the vice president is largely shaped by the relationship between the president and the vice president.
When this relationship is harmonious, the vice president may be granted a certain degree of influence and responsibility.
However, when tensions arise, the vice president is often sidelined, with little opportunity to assert authority or contribute meaningfully to governance.
In situations where the president and vice president are at odds, the officeholder is left with little ability to independently shape policy or take on leadership responsibilities.
Instead, they are relegated to the sidelines—a figurehead with limited influence.
This raises a critical question: in a democratic system, is it acceptable to have a high-ranking official whose role is ill-defined and whose power is entirely dependent on the president’s will?
The widespread support for abolishing the office suggests that, across party lines, Malawians view the vice presidency as an unnecessary and redundant institution that does little to improve governance or address the country’s pressing issues.
It is evident that the vice president, as a political figure, has little real influence over policy or governance.
In most democratic systems, the vice president plays a key role in the administration, acting as an advisor to the president and serving as a potential successor if the President can no longer carry out their duties.
In Malawi, however, the vice president’s role is often reduced to that of a political pawn—a figure with little authority whose primary function is to support the president’s agenda.
A political system that relegates one of its top officials to such a marginal, dependent position cannot function optimally.
In a functioning democracy, the vice president should play a central role in decision-making, act as a check on the President’s power and be ready to assume the Presidency if necessary.
The call to abolish the vice presidency is also a call for broader political reform in Malawi.
If the office is to remain, there must be a concerted effort to redefine its role and provide the vice president with concrete responsibilities that enable them to contribute meaningfully to governance.
However, if the office cannot be restructured to serve the public effectively, it may be time to consider abolishing it altogether and reallocating those resources to more pressing needs.
