CMD wants Malawi parties to declare assets, disclose their donors
Centre for Multiparty Democracy, a multi party liaison committee on democracy, has told President Peter Mutharika that there is need to have a law that compels political parties in the country to declare their assets and disclose their source of funding.
CMD executive director Kizito Tenthani said this was necessitated by confessions of convict Oswald Lutepo who said he used the loot from public resources in the infamous cashgate to fund former ruling party, the Peoples Party.
“We are engaging with party leaders, including Your Excellency on this. Political party secretary generals blessed this bill last Saturday,” said Tenthani when CMD officials met Mutharika at Kamuzu Palace Thursday.
Many were surprised that Peoples Party bought many vehicles just months after former president Joyce Banda got into the presidency following the death of Bingu wa Mutharika.
Tenthani said the aim of the bill is to deter political parties from amassing wealth through undemocratic means.
He also said there was need to change the law regarding registration of political parties, saying out of 54 registered parties, 23 expressed interest to participate in the elections yet six political parties participated.
“There is need for legitimate and relevant political parties to nurture our democracy,” said Tenthani, suggesting all political parties that do not participate in elections should be deregistered.
Tenthani also said there is need to change the law so that political parties can have powers to sue or to be sued unlike the current scenario whereby parties cannot be sued or can sue.
He however said donors are pulling out of CMD and asked the government to take over the funding of the secretariat.
Mutharika asked Justice minister Samuel Tembenu to look into the matter in line with the public sector reforms and financial situation in government.
The meeting was attended by representatives of political parties that are active on the country’s political platform either through Parliament or Local Government councils.
“Malawians out there have an interest to hear what it is like to have all the major political parties in one room and agreeing on something concrete. We need dialogue in order to work together. We have one Malawi, and its development is the responsibility of all of us,” said the President.
President Mutharika called on all parties and all political players to promote Patriotism, Integrity and Hard work among Malawians.
CMD has over 10 years of experience working with political parties in Malawi and has been a platform for dialogue for political parties.
The goal for CMD is “Promotion of a well-functioning multiparty political system and accountable political parties in Malawi”.
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Zonse mukunena apa zilimo mu access to information bill. The parties dont need to declare. The enacted ATI Bill will enable citizens to track origins of parties’ wealth.
Obviously your main reason is centered on ruling parties defrauding the government as PP is your example. What about if the funders to the political parties of their choice want their privacy respected? Obviously some if not many don’t want to be known for fear of being perceived as buying favours from those parties when in power. This perception can jeopardize their businesses even though the funding intent is merely support parties with good manifestos. Iam of the view that this should be well thought before implementing it. With regards to political parties to be deregistered; I don’t see why… Read more »
Kabwira akuwoneka ngati wachepa mphamvu tsopano. Ukali uja ukuchoka pang’onopang’ono. Limbikirani Amayi mwina ndikupezapo ka banja. Banja ndi lokomatu