Kamlepo protests ‘adulterated’ Bill on Malawi electoral reforms: Nation newspaper says ‘ridiculous’ and ‘paranoid’ DPP
Outspoken Rumphi East member of Parliament (MP) Kamlepo Kalua (People’s Party-PP) has accused the government of ambushing Malawians by circulating in Parliament pieces of legislation in the Electoral Reforms Bill which are not what Malawi Law Commission proposed.
Government has rejected several recommendations of the Special Law Commission and introduced new provisions including extending the 50 plus one system of electing the country’s President to include members of Parliament and ward councillors.
The government has made so many changes in the final three Bills which, among other things, call for a majority threshold (50 percent + 1) vote law that will see the country receding from the winner-takes-it-all scenario of electing the president.
“The Bill that was proposed by the Law Commission is not the one that is before us,” protested Kalua, one of the politicians who fought against one-party dictatorship and championed the multiparty democracy.
“Is it in order, Mr . Speaker Sir, that we have this [adulterated Bill,” he asked.
But Speaker of Parliament Richard Msowoya said what the Law Commission submits to government is not always what Parliament gets as the Cabinet discuss and make some considerations before a Bill goes to National Assembly.
“The reason Cabinet meets is to reshape the bills. The idea is for you to see the bills that have been presented to you,” said Msowoya.
“What will come out of this House is not what they will have presented. What will come out is what Parliament will have decided that this is the law. That is the process. That is what I can say,” he said.
Meanwhile, the country’s influential daily newspaper. The Nation, has said government should not table the ‘adulterated’ Bill.
In its editorial comment in Tuesday’s edition, the paper said it is “simply ridiculous” and “laughable” for the President Peter Mutharika’s government to table an adulterated Bill the same as it did with the Access to Information Bill.
The paper said the inclusion of MPs in the 50 plus one system, government wants to “run away” from responsibility should legislators reject it.
“The terms of electing a State President cannot be equated to those for electing MPs. Doing so would be comparing apples and oranges,” reads the comment.
It noted that one major difference is the minimum age for a presidential candidate – which is 35 years – while for MPs, anyone who can vote is eligible to become an MP.
The paper says applying 50 plus one system to MPs would be costly and that those countries like Zambia where the 50 plus one system law has been adopted. It does not apply to the election of MPs let alone ward councillors.
“We understand why government is so paranoid about the 50 + 1 Bill. President Peter Mutharika won with a paltry 36 percent of the votes. The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) is aware it has not delivered on the promises it made to the people for its president to win with a majority of the votes,” reads the comment.
The paper said the 50 percent + 1 Bill is not targeting Mutharika, saying it is for the public good whose benefits will be there long after the current President is out of office and urged the DPP to have national interest rather than “selfish partisan interest.”
Malawi, had been using the First-Past-The-Post (FPTP) or winner-takes-all system to elect presidents, members of Parliament (MPs) and ward councillors.
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Tinanena paja kuti iyi ndi DPP simumamva. Tiyeni nazoni! Ma MP aCongress inu mwalowela 10% of the electorate yaku constituency kwanu ku parliament and you want to decide for the rest of the electorates palinzelu pamenepo? Tiyambe kaye inuyo. Winani by 50%+1 you become more acceptable and representational and then we go to the Presidency awinenso chimodzi modzi 50+1. Zomveka izo.. What is good for the goose is good for the gander. If its expensive for the MP to have a rerun where they don’t garner 50%+1 the same will happen to the President iyenso campaign yake amayendela dollar zikusiyana kuti? Tinanena kale kuti osamangotengeka tengeka mukamva izo kwaneba mwati zibwelenso kuno. Ndi izo DPP sikukana 50%+1 koma tikuti ma MP alowelenso 50%+1 ku parliament. Fair and square!
Akamulepo zawavuta, will he manage to amass 50+1 votes kkkkkkkkkkkk. Mumayesa phada eti.
The executive has repeatedly advised u that for any bill to be tabled in Parliament it undergoes a process. The Law Commission did it’s part. The Executive had to do its part also and they just done it. Now let Parliament do its part as well. Get the advice from the Speaker.
What a misguided comment from The Nation Newspaper. Government has done its job. The Nation’s commentary means its journalists do not know that a bill starts as a proposal and goes through a process of discussion, development and creation by the Law Commission before the government (cabinet) discusses and makes necessary changes/amendments. It’s sad our media/journalists are not conversant with these things.
Martin, be schooled that when an MP goes to Parliament he does a national duty not only a constituency duty. When he makes laws he does so for national laws not constituency laws. An MP is a law maker not ”wopala misewu” as they were doing before elections of Councillors. Nawonso agwemo mu 50+1 basi.
Government is right. According to our constitution, bills are brought to parliament in a process that involves the Law Commission PROPOSING a piece of law, and then, the Executive arm of government (cabinet) works on those proposals. Government or rather cabinet can make changes to the proposal made by the Law Commission in order to bring a bill in parliament for debate and adoption. SO there is nothing wrong with what the government has done. Kudos to government for bringing a bill that demands greater mandate (50+1) across all elected officials – president, MPs and councillors. No fooling about.
They want to frustrate the process.. but my advice is .. vote for the bill.. the amendments will be done once these guys are gone… They will not be in power forever… People are watching.. whatever you will do on this bill will ve a bearing on ur political future…
Its true that school imakongochotsa umbuli osati utchisilu. Ndaonera this govt. Educated fools and wina kumaombera mmanja.
Educated fools because the bill requires you to amass 50+1 votes? Kulira kwanu sikumveka
I repeat these old matchona leaders are crooks, where in the world have you ever heard of 50+1 applying to MPs. It just shows how selfish and intolerant and arrogant is Peter Mutharika`s leadership. Mamina okhaokha mmutu mwawo. Who told you that Malawi will led by DPP for life?
The bill is a way govt want to play its dirty tricks. The country has a lot of challenges to look into., electricity, 1960s road system, high poverty rate, agriculture for we dont have mines, dirty govt buildings in remote areas towns and cities etc……
The Law Commission made proposals or recommendations on electoral reforms. What does the word proposal or recommendation mean? In fact a proposal or recommendation can be rejected or changed or accepted. I see nothing here. Let parliament debate all the bills, full stop, Koma ya MP and Councillors kuti azikhala two terms, I totally support this chifukwa ena akhalitsa kwambiri mpaka zaka 20 ali MP mmmmmmmm. I DONT KNOW IF THIS IS INCLUDED.
Mandaasiyana where is this equation coming from?
This shows that we are led by crooked and wicked people. They think that the country belongs to one generation forgetting about the children everyone is making right now.The problem is that the likes of Pitala and Goodall and many ministers do not have children who are living in Malawi. We are ruled by foreigners. They do not care about our school.They do not care about our hospitals.They do not care about our poor roads where accidents are order of the day. We have to remove these crooks.
KKKKKKKK. Apa ndiye Boma labaya nyani tchende.
Mmmmmm mpakana tchende
Untill now I did not know that Peter and his group are crooks and useless un educated guyz. I presume Peter only through his brother bought this so called proffesorship as his wife has done. Are they able to differeciate between a state president and an MP or a councillor. I think They need to be schooled again all this is because of these people who helped them steal the election.
My advice to our learned MPs from the opposiotion please vote for this because it will not affect you only but even the Dausi. After Peter the format will go and Chakwela will bring a good one. Votani yes chonde tiwachitise manyazi mbava za DPP
MPS are voted locally and represent their area, but the president represents us all. What the MP of Thyolo Thava does, does not affect people of Mzimba Solola, but what the president does affects us all. I don’t know why the professor and his men can not see this? There is someone evil advising the governemt. Time will tell.
Yes this should apply at the constitutency level as well. Lets have 51% of voters accept that person to represent the constituency. Take for instance the recent by-elections in Nsanje constituency had 25,958 registered voters; Winner got 8,775 representing a paltry 33.8% which clearly means his win was not representative since 66.2% of the electorate did not approve of him. So let this 50%+1 thing cascade from the Presidency; to the MP; and to the Councillor so that who soever yes for public office has the mandate of the majority of the people he wants to represent. Democracy in not cast in stone. This will be a first for Malawi, a first for Africa and maybe the whole world in ensuring that those that yearn to lead the people have their full and unfettered mandate. Tiyeni nazo!
Chief Lukwa of Kasungu and fellow chiefs are the brains behind extending 50+1 to councillors and MPs; vey inclusive but not pragmatic. By the way, using Balanced ScoreCard BSC mathematical modelling technique of Professor Kamwachale Khomba of The Malawi Polytechnic University, the electoral commission can easily achieve 50+1 without going for a second round of voting.
The empirical nature of the 50+1 is very questionable and there are technical flaws in the methods and design of 50+1 to truly tailor Malawi demography and the regionalist voter patterns since 1992 referendum.
A second kind of criticism is that the 50+1 does not provide a bottom line score or a unified view with clear recommendations: it is simply the same as first past the post. The system cannot guarantee the unanswered question of representing the majority postulated could be answered, but typically the unanswered question relate to things outside the scope of majority voters. For instance Kenya 2017 elections had most votes in first round than the rerun; which round could be legitimate then?
A third kind of criticism is that the model fails to fully reflect the needs of voters as other perspectives might better reflect the priorities of Malawi voters – particularly but not exclusively relating to the societal needs and the distinctive nature of competition and collaboration in the interests of wider tribes, races and religions of Malawi.
The 50+1 is not solving the problem PAC is looking for as 50+1 will still favour DPP thus I think the bill should be referred by to Law Commission for redrafting and Malawi should adopt the American system with popular vote and electoral college instead.
The government deserves a big hand shake for re-introducing sect 64 of the constitution which empowers constituents to recall a non-performing or misbehaving MP.
This is very fair. All those elected should go through the same procedure. Why President only? MPS and Councillors are also voted so they too should win by 50+1. In fact it would be fair that EVERY election should be on 50+1
Kamlepo chamba umasutacho ndisaname chimagwira nntchito bwino.kd chimalimidwa kt.ukundikubutsa mphunzitsa wanga maths kale anali oyakhuka zoveka ngati iwe.bravo kaluwa ndimakunyandita km ubwere ku mcp mwezi wamawa ndidzakupatsa undindo.
This regime is full of Mafias. 50+1 now includes mps so that the mps should feel threatened and in turn opt not to pass the bill. Whether you like it or not, your time is nigh, you’ve been weighed and found wanting
Mukuteta che nyono. The government has brought the bill approved by Cabinet and government MPs will support it too. Have you heard them murmuring as other party is doing.
If MPs are safe in the newly proposed bill, let them pass it into law. Tione. kkkkkkkkkkk zandibaya koopsa. Amatokota anthuwa azibaye okha ndi mkondo amenewa. DPP is full of genius great people. Congrats DPP-led govt
politics its a game , last week PAC , CHAKWERA was 5 Govt 0, today Govt 8 PAC and Chakwera 1 .Booma booma
This regime is full of Mafias and Thugs. 50+1 now includes MPs so that the MPs should feel threatened and in turn opt not to pass the bill. Whether you like it or not, your time is nigh, you’ve been weighed and found wanting
MPs should not panic for the inclusion of them and Councillors in the bill. Laws are amendable and as such they let them pass the bill this year and once the DPP Government is voted out in 2019, the next government can amend the law by bringing back the Law Commission’s version which proposed 50+1 for the presidency and table it for deliberation. The government is clearly showing that it is scared of the bill and doesn’t want it to be tabled – the only way to frustrate Malawians is the way the crooked Cabinet has made such changes. A political problem needs a political solution as they say “to catch a thief, you set a thief..”
Dear Editor,
My humble request is for our Hon. MPs to pass the bills in their current form by Friday so that we can start thinking about other development issues.
Further, I would have loved if the educational qualifications could be changed to: MSCE+Diplomas for Councillors; MSCE+First Degrees for MPs; and Masters+Doctorates for Presidents. Mind you,such changes will also have to be reflected in pecuniary terms, so nothing of our wishes will come to pass without cost.
AIM: To ensure a vibrant and perhaps, less rhetoric political governance structure.
The FPTP system is what I can call survival of the fittest. It had its advantages and disadvantages. The proposed 50+1 also has advantages and disadvantages. No system is perfect. The 50+1 systems ensures mandate to govern, whiel the FPTP ensures survivalof the fittest. On the other hand the 50+1 may result into a country degenerating into one party state (that is how MCP became what it was, you can go back and analyse), while the FPTP can result in the majority tribe/ region ruling the country for ever.
In summary, these are my opinions please. I am for the 50+1 as in its current form to ensure a level playing field. Money will always be found to manage the runs and re-runs. The proposers are not stupid. They have surveyed all angles and know we will always find money. Only when the 50+1 brings chaos then we will ask the proposers to address the problem.
Let us all be protected by God, and be led by God’s chosen leaders. Amen.
Kamulepo, why do you want to remove the Cabinet from the constitutional process of making laws?
Let Malawi be Malawi, whatever it does lets not compare with other countries like Zambia. Zambia has got its own constitution and so has Malawi. If Malawi wants MPs to be included in 50+1 bill then so be it. Zambia and other countries constitutions have got nothing to do with what Malawi is to do with its constitition. Mawiyibweretsa nokha biluyi, muyisova! Bravo my government.
Chindere chakufikapo ichi, the so-called Pathfinder. Always thinks like an idiot. Anthu wozolowera kudya zakuba awa!!! Sasowa. They blindly follow the Prince of thieves.
Pathfinder, you’re as dull as your leaders in dpp. You don’t just support something for the sake of support or just argue for the sake of it. A president is a national leader yet MPs and Councilors are not, a president is entitled for a lifetime pension package and many benefits and so on. In short, a president occupies the highest office than any other politician so if the criteria of electing them should be the same then the powers of the president must be the same as any other politician. Therefore, he shouldn’t appoint ministers, he shouldn’t be the only one to deliver the SONA, he shouldn’t stay in a house owned by the state-all bills paid by the state and alot of many things you and i know. Sometimes I wonder if this president is really a professor in law as he claim to be and the people he surrounded himself with, are they really educated as they make us believe?
No no boss Lamulo lisakondore aliyesense akupanga represent people it shud b 50+1 mukulira chani anyani inu
Pathfinder is right but you two cadetrionitic MPs with iminorparcute minds thinks MPs are molecules not depidemiated from government policies.
That awkward moment where a “law maker” has to be schooled with regard to how laws are formulated. This doesn’t look too good for you at all Kamlepo.
Problem is those barking dogs in Parliament are just empty tins with little to no idea at all as to how the government machinery works.
We want the bills tabled in Parliament as polished by Cabinet. This is what we call “levelling the playing field”.
Let the games begin.
Kamlepo dont hudwink malawias you and other pp mps meet dpp officials to sabotage this bill. Youre playing double standards
Whoever hatched the idea of extending the 50+1 reform to MPs and councillors is very smart.
It is clear that most MPs did not make it to 50% in the last elections and therefore they can’t endorse the new law.
But let us work not work in isolation. It is true that those who use 50+1 system in other countries do not include MPs and councillors. No matter what, it then becomes a costly system.
It is becoming clear that the battle is between Peter and Chakwera. Chakwera is gaining ground with the coming in of Mia as was evidenced by the last by elections.
This is why the DPP is panicking by seeking a holy communion with other parties such as UDF and PP. This is just the beginning as we havent seen real things yet. Where will AFORD and DEPECO lean on to.
We are yet to see. It will be between Peter and Chakwera, a battle that will be a marvel to watch.
This Government is just piece of shit Malawi ever have.
Boma la anthu akuba ndi chonchi kkkkkkk zanu zinada basi come 2019 tikusintha boma basi DPP yatikwana.
Akamulepo zawawa chifukwa zakhuza inu. We support this bill whether you like it or not
If you say so then Kamlepo must have all the powers and benefits as your president.
No Mr Martin, its not about benefits but acceptable representation and remember that constituency representation is more relevant to locals than the national one. People in the constituency are so much in-touch with their MP than the President so if the MP is not voted by a majority,its difficult for him or her to foster development activities in the area effectively.