DPP ‘dodgy’ on 50 + 1 law to elect Malawi President
Ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) officials are not coming out crystal clear on whether the party is in support or not of the proposed 50+1 presidential race electoral system.
DPP spokesperson Francis Kasaira said the party will go by for what Malawians will say.
He was not clear either on whether the voice of Malawians will be heard through a referendum or through their representative.
“As a party we have not taken a position on this, we will go by what Malawians will say,” said Kasaira echoing President Peter Muthjarika’s recent sentiments on the divisive matter.
Main opposition, the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) said it was for the new system, saying this will ensure that a leader has the mandate of all Malawians.
The United Democratic Front (UDF) spokesperson Ken Ndanga asked Malawians to be cautious and be sober on the matter.
He said the reforms should go hand in hand with other electoral reforms including those of running mate.
Ndanga said there was need for enough consultation with Malawians at all levels before the reforms are implemented.
Peoples Party (PP) spokesperson Ken Msonda said the electoral reforms on the presidential race system were long overdue.
He said Malawians are not happy that the president has the mandate to rule Malawi with only 36 per cent of the total votes cast.
Malawi’s interfaith organization, Public Affairs Committee (PAC) have recognised that 50 per cent plus one rule guarantees the leader acceptable, popular, majoritarian mandate.
Mutharika was declared the winner of Malawi’s May 20, 2014 presidential election after defeating Joyce Banda after he took 36.4 percent of the votes cast, Lazarus Chakwera of MCP garnered 27.8 percent of the vote and Banda’s 20.2 percent.
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A political system of a state must reflect a popular will of the people. And the president must adhere to that will. Kaunda of Zambia accepted multiparty without a referendum. Kamuzu accepted after a referendum defeated him. Zambia adopted a 50+1 system without a poll. Malawi is dilly-dallying
Those who say they cannot be a runoff between the first two then it means we need to go flat on Federal System of Government. How can you rule the whole country when only two tribes have voted for you. %0+1 is the answer and we will see this country develop. We do not want presidents with chicken visions but those who can soar high like eagles and see the country as it is and being able to develop it it as one nation. Osati ngati simundibvotera helikoputa siyikatera kwanu with only 35%. Chitani zotheka, With or without DPP in… Read more »
In 2004 Bingu won the Presidency by getting 28% of the vote, in 2009 he got more than 50% of the vote and in 2014 APM got 36% of the vote and won the Presidential election. From the statistics above, any articulate Malawian will understand why DPP as a party “is not yet decided on the 50+1 law”. Actually the DPP party will not decide and drag its feet on this issue until it frustrates the opposition and all well meaning Malawians. For all Malawians, forget about what the fear mongers are saying. The 50+1 system is a unifying system.… Read more »
NO need for the so-called 50+1, in Malawi. Malawi’s elections are already funded by foreign interests. And so who is going to pay for a guaranteed second round of the election? Foreigners, again? European countries, Japan, South Korea, China or who? When all these countries follow the first pass procedure? Elections are not cheap to run, amangwetu (ladies and gentlemen). They are VERY expensive for a poor country like Malawi. Name 50+1 countries that are rich enough to fund Malawi elections? Names, please. Don’t just claim advanced or civilized countries follow “50+1”. Put your money where your mouth, or in… Read more »
it is not about MCP but Malawi’s unity
Yes, it is, for sure.
Whenever MCP supporters says “… it is not about MCP …”, you know that it is about MCP! And nobody else.
MCP never accepts defeat, even in by-elections; they think we are still in the dark ages of their dictatorship! No going back. Never.
Akhaule baasi (How long will it take MCP to live by basic principles of democratic pluralism?)
50+ 1 is the way to go,not the stupid old system of choosing a President.Here is not about whether DPP or MCP will manage to get 50 +1 or not,But its about MAJORITY REPRESENTATIVE LEADERSHIP of the chosen President which matters.Don’t talk of war bcoz it may be difficult at first,but for second elections or third ,Malawians will get used to the 50+1 System.When there is no Party reaching that target,then a Run-Off elections can be held and people will choose a leader the believe can help lift their country unlike in the old Minority win it all System.The 50+1… Read more »
50+1 is no guarantee for those who lost 2014 elections to win in 2019 vise versa. In fact if we take the results as they were in 2014, it means there could have been a rerun for the first and the second thus APM and Chakwera.There could also be a possibility of APM winning or Chakwera winning. Take note that Malawians have a history of poor turn out on voting. Expect poor or no turn out at all on the rerun. Also take note that the first results before a rerun is where the voters’ love of the candidate of… Read more »
I have been following comments written by THE ANALYST fo sometime and I must admit they have been full of wit and intelligence but this time around bwana mwalemba gibberish and nonsense. The reasoning is very poor and doesn’t make sense at all. The reasons you have stated suits more the first by the post law than otherwise. We don’t want to lose you Mr Analyst or have you been given a blue ban?
No rantings guys…its simple, opposition should just take it to parliament as a private members bill and it is done! Why rantings here.A Malawi tulo and kusalira..you talk too much and keep debating but no action. You will remain 100 years behind your neighbouring countries.
They are dodgy simply because they’ve been benefiting with the current First-Past-the-Post system!