By Mercy Matonga:
The effectiveness of Malawi’s Political Parties Act may be undermined due to the lack of legal mandate and enforcement mechanisms, a new study has revealed.
According to research conducted by the Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR) and Chisankho Watch, there are significant compliance gaps in the regulation of political party and campaign financing under the Act.
“Compliance by political parties in Malawi with the Political Parties Act of 2018, and the enforcement of this Act by relevant authorities, remains a challenge,” the report states.
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One major contributing factor is the delay by the government to establish the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties, as mandated by the Act.
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“Although the Political Parties Act came into force in 2018, the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties only became substantively operational in July 2024, when the Registrar was finally appointed,” the report adds.
It further says the current Act lacks structures or guidelines outlining what will happen to a party that fails to comply with the law.
Speaking on the sidelines of the launch of the report, political analyst and lead consultant Augustine Magolowondo said there was a need for civic education targeting both political leaders and the electorate.
“Enforcement alone is not enough. Citizens must understand that expecting handouts from politicians is not only detrimental to democracy but also contributes to the problem of unregulated party financing,” Magolowondo said.
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Recently, Registrar of Political Parties Kizito Tenthani said his office was awaiting the Minister of Justice to publish regulations developed by the Registrar’s office.
“People need to know that giving or receiving handouts is prohibited by law. My office is committed to enforcing this, even though we are constrained by time and resources as elections approach,” Tenthani said.
“Our country’s legal position is clear; handouts undermine our democracy and must be stopped,” he said.
