For now no ruling or opposition party in Malawi – MCP

June 25, 2019 Wanga Gwede - Nyasa Times 28 Comments

Malawi Congress Party (MCP) has maintained that they will not take up a Leader of the Opposition role in parliament or respond anything from government as opposition because they are challenging the re-election of President Peter Mutharika, saying he won the May 21 elections by fraud.

Lowe: We do not recognise Mutharikas as legitimate president of Malawi

MCP Chief Whip Lobin Lowe said the party was in the House after boycotting President Mutharika’s State of the Nation Address, because they want to pass a provisional budget.

“We have come here to discuss and pass the provisional budgets, as a party. Let me state clearly here that we do not recognise [Peter Mutharika] as legitimate President of Malawi until courts says so,” said Lowe.

Lowe briefly served as leader of opposition in the last cohort of parliament when MCP leader Lazarus Chakwera had resigned as legislator to pave way for his nomination as presidential candidate.

In the absence of leader of opposition, MCP will only be represented by its Chief Whip.

MCP did not official offer a response to President’s address.

The party general secretary Eisenhower Mkaka, who is also a legislator, said they will participate in parliamentary deliberations, but pointed out that for now, there is no ruling or opposition party in Malawi.

The electoral commission declared Mutharika the winner of the election with 39% of the vote, while MCP candidate Lazarus Chakwera was a close second with 35%.

“We don’t accept the results that were announced by the Malawi Electoral Commission,” said Mkaka.

Mkaka said they will ensure they pass the provisional budget.

“What we want is to pass the provision budget so that we enable provision of social services. We do not want any disruption of social services,” he said.

The development of having parliament without a leader of opposition is the first since Malawi embraced multiparty democracy in 1993 through a national referendum.

Standing Order 35 (1) of Parliament states that the Leader of Opposition shall be elected by the party not in government  having the greatest numerical strength in the House, rendering MCP which came second from DPP, eligible to field that leader.

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28 replies on “For now no ruling or opposition party in Malawi – MCP”

  2. No bills shall be passed, not even borrowing shall take place without a signature of the leader of opposition…..kumazitsata zinthuzi. Dausi talking shit yet he’s an illegitimate minister of home affairs. Mbuzi yamunthu yogona pa matuvi ake omwe

  3. When MCP says they don’t recognise president but are in parliament merely to pass the budget, who will assent to the appropriations and tax amendment law? Passed Budget does not become operational law until President assents to the appropriations and tax laws.
    So is MCP approach attainable?

  8. I travel abroad often time for businesses. I remember in 2014 soon after elections, ukafika pa OR Tambo Airport ukamadinditsa passport amatibutsa (kutiseka) avekere – zoona a Malawi kukupangani impose President kuvomera, muli eyaaaa atilamulire when you well know that elections were rigged. I don’t know how much more they will be laughing at us this time around with this TIPPEX Election. I am afraid and ashamed to go abroad. Pano ndiye akatiseka zeni-zeni. Eeeeish!

  9. There can be a vacuum in the Office of Leader of Opposition! After all Malawi constitution doesn’t recognise ruling parties that’s why even independents presidential aspirants are allowed in stand. New Prado DX meant for Leader of Opposition ibakhala kaye pa pool kuOPC izitumikira aMalawi

  11. Ndizoona angakhale a Court agamule zonyasa sikukhala Opposition leader kwazaka zisanu

  13. That is it bravo MCP that means in MCP there is mature politics and can take malawi to another level if we are to accept real democracy with no corruption even in election .People should know that if leaders are able to still elections what more with money

  15. amazing things zimene titi tione pa malawi as we are waiting the case to pass popanda opposition

  16. 100% in agreement. There is no ruling no opposition in Malawi as it stands now. Muthalika is not legitimate and you can see Kaleekeni Kaphale after pressure from Muthalika is appealing a case that is constitutional in nature from High Court that ends in High Commission and not appealable. You can ask questions yourself why dpp and kaphale appealing non appealable case what are they hiding so that Malawians do not know? what are they fearing?

  17. TIPPEX GOVERNMENT IS NULL AND VOID —TIPPEX HAS MADE NEWS ACROSS THE GLOBE — IS THERE ANYBODY WITH HIS OR HER REAL SENSES AT MEC !? IT SEEMS EVERYBODY IS CONFUSED/DRUNK WITH BIG BIG CHUNKS OF MONIES THEY RECEIVED –Yaaa ?

  19. So, if there is no ruling or opposition party, why are you in parliament? To get allowances after passing the provisional budget. Greedy and stupid you are.

    1. You are talking rubbish my brother. The truth remains the same, there is no ruling or opposition parties in our August House at the moment.

    2. They are representatives and legislators. They r in parliament to pass bills akuwuzani. Enawo ndi ma position chabe don’t mean much when passing bills.

      1. Representing people in what capacity? Za umbuli basi? Kodi mmesa apezeka kumeneko through the same elections they are disputing ndiye mbali ina adzichita mwautambwali while inayi mkumanyambitira?? Nyau nonsense!

  20. Yes…no party is ruling nor opposition in Malawi. We are waiting for our honourable courts.

    1. Business will continue and will continue smoothly without opposition leaders’ stupid criticisms through the mandated responses. DPP is the winner in this situation

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