Aford introduces K10 membership card: University of Malawi analyst says ‘perfect idea’

The Alliance for Democracy –(Aford) has introduced a K10 party membership card as party leader Enock Chihana, Aford’s sole member of Parliament (MP) in the 193-member National Assembly, has embarked on a process of rebuilding it.

Chihana: Rebuilding Aford
Chihana: Rebuilding Aford

Paid up party membership cards were synonymous with the one party regime as membership was forced on all citizens of the country and one was refused services without the card.The strategy made the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) unpopular.

But a research commissioned by the Center for Multiparty Democracy (CMD) established that Malawians want political parties to introduce party membership .

A ford secretary general Christopher Ritchi confirmed that his party has introduced the memberships cards  and that money collected will be used to fund party activities

Ritchi said Aford wasn’t to reclaim old glory when it used to control northern region as it claimed all the 33 parliamentary seats in the region and some in the Central Region in the country’s first post-independence multiparty general elections in 1994.

“Aford is rebuilding to be back to its glory as a power broker that can negotiate for development in the north,” he said.

Aford president Chihana is also advancing federalism agenda and has recently roped in new members who included former Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) MP and Cabinet minister Abbie Shaba, Chipani cha Fuko vice-president Burton Siyonani-Phiri and Professor Fred Msiska of Mzuzu University, among others.

University of Malawi associate professor of political science Blessings Chinsinga commedned Chihana for taking “ the right approach” to start rebuilding the party from the Northern Region where it once enjoyed support,

On the membership cards, Chinsinga said it is “a perfect idea” but called for the leadership to be transparent with the money .

Chinsinga carried a study which revealed that a lot of Malawians would want to have a party membership card.

The research was conducted in Mzimba and Nkhata Bay in the north; Kasungu, Salima and Ntcheu in the centre; and Zomba, Machinga, Blantyre and Mwanza in the south.

The current scenario, Chinsinga pointed out, have placed parties at the mercy of individual leaders who are seen as the owners of political parties.

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Chawanangwa
Chawanangwa
8 years ago

The prb wth Northern politicians is greed. Why were the Chihanas and Nzomera Ngwiras waste time with that lady cashgater? Only to cry foul and advocate for feudalism or cessation upon her nose-diving in the past elections? No wonder she has vowed not to set her foot in Malawi probably as long as DPP is in power. Ever wondered why a good cohort from the Yankees are cashgate culprits?

Kenkkk
Kenkkk
8 years ago

Good idea for raising party funds, even parties in western democracies have paying members and non paying ones. Mcp can do the same to raise funds but this time I don’t think people including children born or unborn will be forced to buy the cards. My main comment though is that the north does not need a political party of its own. It is a waste of time to have such a party simply because our voting patterns in malawi are still based on tribalistic or regionalistic lines. The poor education level and political understanding of most our central and… Read more »

pat
pat
8 years ago

K10×100 memembers=K1000 to fund party activities. Kkkkk

Mapwevupwevu
Mapwevupwevu
8 years ago

The fact is that almost everybody in the north is passively Aford. Its only that leadership betrayed us. I personally Nkhwendaviwi and I am sure Aford has started walking the path to revival and political reawakening and rebirth.

CHINDELE
CHINDELE
8 years ago

The problem with our political leaders still remains on `this is my party` syndrome. Should there be another ideal candidate to sit for presidency on aford chihana will not accept it. But honestly enock cannot lead aford to function as one party. All those decision are done within his house with his kids and wife who also happens to have her own briefcase party. Aford needs a serious leader who can help to propel the party to cover the whole mpoto region. Enock cannot do that. His father failed becoz he was a political prostitute. Enock is also a political… Read more »

Zondiwe
Zondiwe
8 years ago

Why is Dr Chinsinga being castigated? Our academics are scholars who look at issues from a scholarly view-point. Malawians, learn not to denigrade technical people, but learn to ask sensible questions so that you too can make informed decisions. It is Aford that is introducing the party card, and not Dr Chinsinga. Some people have even suggested that K10 per card is too cheap, and I agree with them. This issue is for Aford members, past and present. Leave Blessings Chinsinga alone, and if you have any queries, ask President Enock. Having said that, maybe the cards could start at… Read more »

patrick banda
patrick banda
8 years ago

Good idea but raise the amount to k100 or better still k200.

Trevor Manyi
Trevor Manyi
8 years ago

577 BILLION

Chikopa
Chikopa
8 years ago

Academicians business commenting on trivia and not real issues. MCP was hated for the party cards and now certain buffoon is busy bringing back stupid ideas para wanganya winu wakati mawoko mawoko! Chitima chandikora chomene. Nadi! Nadi!

George phiri
George phiri
8 years ago

Mmmm how many people will buy the card should be a million dollar question? Thats Aford now collecting tax from its members

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