As Malawi approaches the September 16, 2025 presidential election, the European Union (EU) has renewed its call for greater transparency in political party financing, urging the implementation of strict measures to ensure fairness and accountability in the electoral process.
The EU, which has actively monitored the country’s electoral reforms since the 2019 elections, stresses that transparency in political party funding is a vital step towards free and fair elections.
In an exclusive interview with The Daily Times, EU Head of Delegation to Malawi Rune Skinnebach reiterated that one of the key recommendations still awaiting full implementation is the introduction of stringent regulations on political party financing.
“Increased transparency in political party financing would make an important contribution to the integrity of the electoral process,” Skinnebach said.
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He added that ensuring transparency in how political parties are funded could significantly reduce potential manipulation and undue influence by powerful donors.
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Skinnebach also confirmed that 10 out of the 24 recommendations made by the EU Electoral Observer Mission in 2019 have been successfully implemented.
He said, however, that the EU continued to monitor progress, with a particular focus on areas that remain unaddressed, such as political party financing and the need for more inclusive and transparent party primary elections.
The EU’s call for transparency comes amid growing concerns over the lack of progress in regulating political party finances.
In a 2022 follow-up report, the EU Electoral Observer Mission stated that key reforms, including the public disclosure of campaign funding and expenditure, had yet to be realised.
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“The regulation of campaign finance should be the top priority of future electoral reforms,” the report said.
It added that such regulations were key to exposing potential undue influence from both domestic and foreign donors.
In response to the EU’s concerns, Registrar of Political Parties Kizito Tenthani acknowledged the need for reform but pointed out that his office was working on new regulations to guide the implementation of the Political Parties Act.
“Currently, we are waiting for the Minister of Justice to publish these regulations and we plan to carry out civic education, hopefully in partnership with other stakeholders,” Tenthani said.
He added that his office was also planning engagement sessions with political parties to ensure they understand their legal obligations regarding political party financing.
“We will issue public statements on these obligations so that political parties and the public are aware of the law and how it will be enforced,” Tenthani said.
Recently, the High Court sitting in Blantyre ruled in favour of the Malawi Law Society’s application for judicial review concerning the Registrar of Political Parties’ failure to provide information on political party funding.
Election observers believe this legal challenge reflects the growing demand for transparency and accountability in Malawi’s electoral process as the country prepares for the upcoming elections.
Malawians are expected to elect their president, members of Parliament and ward councillors on September 16, 2025.
