MCP engages donor agencies to table electoral reforms bill in Malawi Parliament
Malawi Congress Party (MCP) is engaging some donor agencies to overtake the Law Commission and smuggle into Parliament a secretly prepared bill proposing electoral reforms in the country. Nyasa Times can reveal.
The bill is set for presentation in Parliament on Thursday by an MCP Member of Parliament for Lilongwe South MP Peter Dimba as a private members motion.
Officials from National Democratic Institute (NDI) confirmed Dimba asked for funding for him to present the private members motion.
The motion seeks to force the government change the electoral laws before the 2019 general election.
Among other things, the new laws will make a candidate win the presidency only after getting over 50 per cent of the votes cast.
In the 2014 polls, Mutharika got a mere 36 per cent of the vote.
NDI officials said they rejected Dimba’s request and referred him to Malawi Economic Justice Network.
Dimba confirmed having approached NDI for funding on the motion.
Officials from parliament said what Dimba did was irregular as all funding requests come from parliament not individual MPs.
According to MCP sources, party president Lazarous Chakwera fears that he cannot win elections in Malawi in the current set up because his party cannot manage to get support from the south, the north and the eastern regions of Malawi hence need for reforms to change the legal winning formula.
The three regions are where the MCP unleashed untold atrocities on Malawians during it’s 31 years regime under the brutal dictatorship of Dr Banda.
For the past 25 years the MCP has been reduced to a central region party failing to convince Malawians from the other regions to vote for it.
In October this year, the Law Commission Chairperson; Gertrude Hiwa told donors and other stakeholder under the Malawi Electoral Cycle Support Project that it would not be possible for it to complete the review process before end of this year because they still have a lot of work to do on the bill.
Hiwa said the Commission needed to discharge its duties with professionalism and unwavering adherence to basic ethical standards of independence, responsibility, transparency and accountability without pressure from politicians.
The Commission proposed March 2017 as the deadline for the review. This development irked Chakwera who is desperate for the reforms.
Steve Duwa of the Malawi Electoral Support Network (Mesn) and members of its board are said to be part of the plot to bulldoze the bill in the House.
Duwa has been exchanging emails with MESN board members copied to Chakwera and Dimba on underground efforts by MCP and some civil society organisation to source funding for the drafting of the MCP electoral reforms bill to replace the one prepared by the Law Commission.
In one such emails dated December 11, Duwa called for an emergency board meeting to discuss funding of the MCP electoral reforms bill.
“I am writing in connection with the email I sent out yesterday on the requested from Hon P. Dimba asking for MESN to support financially the drafting of a private members bill on electoral reforms”, wrote Steven Duwa.
Duwa said although the project under which the funding was to be tapped ended, the DFID was willing to fund the secret project outside the project period.
“As indicated, the bill is due for presentation this coming Thursday. Funds are from DFID through NDI under the project which unfortunately we already closed on 30th November but they are ready to give a no cost extension for purpose of this bill and other related activities’’, added Duwa.
Duwa assured his board members and MCP leader that all is well about the scheme.
‘‘I write therefore to invite you to the emergency board meeting on Tuesday afternoon in Lilongwe. Venue to be communicated later. All logistics will be handled by NDI,” Duwa said.
Duwa’s email is also copied to Timothy Mtambo of Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation-CHRR, MacBain Mkandawire of Yoneco, Emma Kaliya of NGO-GCN, a Mr Lewis Msiyadungu and CCAP Nkhoma Synod secretariat, among others.
Surprisingly, while DFID is willing to give a ‘no cost extension’ for this MCP driven bill as shown in Duwa’s email, the Law Commission’s request for similar work on the reforms was rejected by the same donors.
Although the MCP plans to present the bill in Parliament on Thursday, work on the review of the country’s electoral laws by the Malawi Law Commission is still in progress and the commission is expected to come up with a report at least March next year.
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Not me but someone posted: “Federalism or state of Nyika cannot materialize coz over 50 % of Northerners don’t prefer separate country or federalism. It’s only a handful of discontented people (coz they lost elections) led by Mzomera, Enock Chihana and Kamplepo that push it in futility.
Over half don’t want MCP to rule again because of its notoriety and neglect of the north. MCP killed Orton Chirwa, Chakufwa, Dunduzu, Yatuta and Mkwapatira Mhango. Dr Laz should apologize on behalf of MCP and MCP should compensate those families.
In short, people don’t need MCP, federalism or State of Nyika but development. Ine olo mutandithira doom mkamwa or nditati ndikuvota ku tulo, I can’t vote for MCP tcheketcheke. I love Malawi
EmuSiPi is a party of death and darkness – one late ntumbuka told us this in the past.
To you thengere logic mbwenumbwenus…..show me ntumbuka who has the who has the potential to be president….who? and mention 5.
Someone is smoking something serious here. You argue that under the current system MCP cannot win and they want to change the formula? what you are saying is like saying I cannot manage to get 36 percent (current passing mark) and arguing that it should be increased to 50 percent.
Musiye kuchindana kwambiri ku MCP muyambe kuganiza. Kungokhala ndi member wa mkazi mumupange basi. I fear for Kabwila. You are victimising her chifukwa amakana kumuchinda
Chokani ma Hule amiyambo yopha ana kuchosa fumbi ndichani? mwadfzadza pa central kudzalima kwathu kuno kikkkkkkkk!!!!!
Why is it that us Malawians seem to have our priorities up side down, most of the time? Like, this idea of adopting a 50+1 rule. When people don’t have even m’gaiwa (basic staples) to eat; and they vote on an empty stomach – shame.
We are a poor country, even by African standards. Elections cost money, and our democratic elections have been funded by foreign governments.
Elections are always expensive to run. And so who will pay for the inevitable second round? Ok, we’ll go begging again! Shame. As pointed out already, these rich democratic countries, we admire, do NOT even subscribe to the 50+1 doctrine. So, you think they will fund our 50+1, without sinister motives?
The example of Zambia using the 50+1 rule is informative, but not instructive. Zambia and Malawi are very different in many aspects like economy, resources, geographic size. Zambia is middle class by African standards; and Malawi is way down the ladder. So Zambians themselves paid for the studies towards the reform, and they also paid for both expensive elections. Malawi CANNOT afford this now, people!
Latest data available:-
GDP:………………….. Zambia…..22.1B…..Malawi….. 6.5B all figures USD
GDP per Cap….. Zambia…..4300…..Malawi…..366
Populations are quite similar (accounts for the large disparity in per cap GDP). But you think Malawians would seriously think about slowing down population growth?
And geographic size matters because it gives you more probability of discovering valuable resources. And we are about 13 – 15% of the size of Zambia?
Let’s get our priorities straight, abale inu (ladies and gentlemen.)
“Koma abale inu eeh” here:
Regret the error: The second line GDP per Cap ….. Zambia… 4300 should read Malawi 4300. Then the picture makes sense.
TAKE BACK THE LAST SO-CALLED “CORRECTION”
Reading the comments shows how shallow most commentators are> With this crop of thinking and mindset this country will remain poor. Laws are not for political parties or tribes. No tribe or region can benefit from a law in a special way. Good laws benefit every civilized citizen. The 50+1 will not guarantee any political party an out right win. Rather it will consolidate support for a true winner. Look at the current situation someone who won 36% ruling. How about 64% which is majority who is attending to their needs. If democracy means rule of majority then 36% is what? Politicians tell your blind followers how this law will benefit them. Will APM not be happy to be declared winner with 50+1 votes. He will so will Chakwara and anyone who can get to the score. Those of you who waste time talking nosense about about culture of Chewa instead of real benefits are bringing us down. Most of you are those that receive handouts and because of your ignorance you the law will usher Chakwara out right. How come you hate the Chewa and love their land. God gave central region to the Chewa. The chewas are hosting you in their region, you grabbed their land and instead of appreciating you talk shit about your hosts. Shame on you!!!!! Is limbuli better than MC or Mhuju better than KU? in human behaviuor people go where there better life. Go to these places Limbula, Misenjere and Kameme and ask how many Chewas are there and do the same in central. We are your hosts respect us. Dont misuse our politeness. Such alterances are what caused Rwanda genocide. Have you ever imagined which tribes will suffer most if ethic cleasing started?
@Harawara, FIRSTLY Malawi does not belong to the Chewas only. It for everybody that calls themselves Malawian. SECONDLY, check your dictionary for the meaning of majority – it simple means the greater number. Whether APM wins 36% or 10% or 5% as long as he has more votes than other candidates he carries the day. THIRDLY, Malawi political landscape in its current form is heavily polarised by regions. There can never be an outright winner in any national election. So what does that mean? Tizipani tingono tingono nu kuyambila MCP muzayamba kuphatikizana to attain 50+ majority and the result product is not a people’s choice but a convergence of different ideologies under one leader. Imagine PP who wanted Joyce and MCP who wanted Chakwera and Aford who wanted Chihana mukaphatikizana to attain a 50+ majority patulukapo chani? You represent different political ideologies tsono mukaphathikizana what do you represent? The result is a confused product. President azatuluke kumeneko azakhala ngati mwana waku chigololo mamuna wina wasiya mutu, wina wasiya phazi, wina wasiya diso bambo wake wamwana kwene kwene sadziwika. The status quo has to be maintained and let whoever wins a simple majority/first-past-the-post atengepo mpando basi. Inu take your reforms to parliament mukawina that’s it don’t expect us to support you because it is not our project yanu imeneyo. Inu aMCP you represent the Central region as of now and you want to force your reforms on the rest of the country that will not work!
Sorry kuti ndiwe mmodzi mwa ana opanda bambo chifukwa chosasa fumbi!!!
@Kaka, bola iweyo mwananga kuteloku ambuyako aja sunakumane nawo aja ndine amene. Uwafuse masteni mofasa ku deniko akufotokozela bwino bwino kuti abambo ako aja nda Zaya ku Nkhongo!
Wanyau ndi aliyense wochokera ku nyaubelt…Chakwera inclusive. Mufuna munamize yani? Kwao kwao kwao…kkkkkkkkkkkk
O’Chakwera ana akumbwambwanitsani. As long as your party is called EmuSipi, forget votes from the south and north. We have not forgotten how dambwecraft was used to run this country. EmuSipi is a party of death and darkness regardless having some fallen clergyperson at the helm. I suggest changing the name of the party….kkkkkkkkkk
Iam from North I Can not vote for.DDP/APM never. Its sad that there are Northerners who vote for DDP/Muntharikas. I remember What Bingu said after Northerners voted for him. “It did not make any differenti With your voted” Peter also said something about Northerners. How come these two brothers who run away from Malawi come and u give them free hand to mess up with our little money, Chakwela is not Kamuzu Banda. So dont judge him. He is not even related to Kamuzu. During Kamuzu Many Tumbukas had high positions. How Many Tumbukas in position or government to day? Dont paint MCP as bad party because of Kamuzu Banda. He gave u food, education. Past US Past. Look AT to day. There are worse than MCP of dictator Banda in the World. Look AT Syria. Thank Banda he did not kill u. Its now u are dying of hunger lack of medicines NO Jobs etc. For u Northerners Iam ashamed that u vote for DDP which I compare to Trump who said he will campaign for republican because they are stupid. Those Northerners are What Trump was talking about stupid. Also why should votes be divided in the region? Its ignorant Malawi is one country. All What we need is a leader who love the nation and the people. The only time I saw Malawians not talking about tribe and regions was During Bakili Muluzi. All Malawians were United. Then came Muntharikas who used tribe of Alomwe and also region. Just like Trump has done. See Africans who have lived inUSA are not good to come home and be leaders. America is not demoxratic country as Europe. Money is.their democracy. Its not good example for poor Malawi.
The reason MCP is pushing this noble course is cos Malawi Law Commission has failed Malawian, has failed to move at the right pace. Note that 3 years have gone now, and the issue of a faulty electoral system has been there over several decades.
A good and vibrant system will guarantee a greater benefit to the nation and not MCP, and ensure a better and accepted person at plot #1.
All evil non nyaus, the fearful DPPs must know that developed / developing countries world-over have better electoral systems. LOMWEs? Why do u hate good things? What evil has MCP done to u, in particular, by pushing for this good national agenda?
While people are busy commenting on this article, please NOTE that the contents are highly suspicious and biased. The nitty-gritty details of email communication, the purpose of the communication, the mention of Chakwera colluding with Duwa, etc are all outright LIES. By the way, Duwa is DPP sympathiser!!!!!
mukungonamizana mcp singawine ana wathu tinawauza zomwe mumachita ndipo 50 mukapeza kuti kucentral komweko kaya tiona bola moyo .
How come we still have madmen in Malawi? No, let me rephrase. How come we still have madmen in the Nyau belt?
After all the atrocities that Kongelesi inflicted on the people of Malawi for over 30 years, would someone in their right senses vote for Kongelesi? Nyakula, Ng’ona, Makhadi ndani angaiwale? Mwina ku Mchinjitu kapena chifukwa kumeneku amavota zabwekabweka.
Ana akhanda inu kikkkkk akuchoseni chitonse amanu, thats why mukumalira chifukwa chosakhala ndi Card, mukungoti anthu obwera ndi amene akumatha mankhwala mzipatala, the problem is that ngakhale iweyo sumadziwika kuti kwanu ndikuti kikkkk you dont have an ID those Card were helping buddy, ngatitu munaliko kapene anangonamizani anthu opanda manu nkamwawa
DPP has already failed us on ATI bill but trough opposition we have won as citizens….on electrol reforms we will win again. airilanso amenewa. Amalawi nthawi timibe….lets act with speed on thinfs rhat require speed….electrol reforms need speed…no matter chaponda brokes them or not…Malawians want it. and in drafting…make it clear that we should have two parties only and these must be true parties of Malawi which have a good record in as far as fight for independence and democracy are concerned. These are MCP and UDF….dpp has nothing concrete it has contributed to Malawi…if any then lets all agree that its cashgate. if they want to be included as a party to run in 50+1 then they must contest as one since…..they are failing together…50+1 must come come now and now! To hell dpp…to hell chaponda and to hell their other leaders!!! To hell supporters of cashgate party….a party of subsidy cement and kills the nation by denying it to access to quality tetiary education aback bone of national development…to hell your fertilizer….give us education…nyumba tidzamsnga tokha!!!
50% can take its course unless we reduce number of candidates to compete in the election race hence to achieve our objectives. Duwa and Dimba note that Malawian politicians are money hungers and they don’t need development but to feed themselves. Chakwera are also money fortuner, he pressures other quarters so that he can get sympathy from them. Leadership come from God not changing electoral laws, if God says Chakwera will take mantle of this Country surely will happen, (Acts 6), 1 Sam. 16:7; but the Lord said to Samuel; do not consider his appearance nor his height for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance but the Lord looks at the hear, therefore, it talks about qualities and characteristics how a leader is all about.
So whats your point here buddy?
Heey! Guys,timayendera nthawi ife. We dont want the 2019 elections to be poorly done.We have a few months down the line.We need a leader and in this case it does not matter which one wins but as long as as he gets 50% Plus votes,Malawians would be home and dry.Malawi Law Commission has taken their time on the matter.You have been extremely slow on this matter of paramount importance.You should have been updating us on your progress.
We need to move very fast on the matter considering how parliament deliberates on issues that are for the betterment of our Future.I can imagine some Parliamentarians rejecting the bill on the premise that it is not well calculated as only a handful of people were consulted.
This is Malawi where issues of National importance go at snails pace while useless issues like that of Gays, Anniva of Nsanje can take the whole President to act.Issues of Severe Blackouts for example are Normal.Guys, we must be very Serious about our Future. Honorable Dimba, please go ahead please and i have no objections.If i were in Parliament even on government Seat, i would gladly welcome this vital Bill.By the way, if there any logic for all Parliamentarians on government side to vote the same way?
kodi malawi ika dzavotelaso dpp dzikoli lidza fika pati? Mulungu alowelepo
Does this 50+1 guarantee winning to those aspiring to win in 2019?Maybe we should borrow a leaf from Zambia whose opposition fraternity fought for this law after many years of failure for all the winners scooping 50+1. After passing the 50+1 law, Edgar Lungu still won 50 plus leaving the opposition crying fowl..
Most of those Presidents in Africa that have won have done so with a border case margin. Most of them won not more than 50.9% . This does not give any confidence that the majority are represented by those who win the range of this margin.
Take that money and build a clinic kwanuko…instead of wasting that money on stupid issues like that…. Do you think you can win even though that bill is passed
MCP will never help us guys
look at what they are busy doing… looking for money to defeat government in 2019…& they will come to us again tomorrow that DPP has let the country down
mupite mukafune ndalama ndikuwadyetsa amalawiwo kuti akukondeni!
You think we’re that dull that we can,believe in that 19th century’s politics… NO!
Strategies yourselves better
kukapepha ndalama kuti bill itheke pomwe nomwenu mukuti Amalawi akufa ndi njala? yang’anani ndalama zothetsera njalayo
tisafe ndi njala ife,chifukwa choti mukusunga ndalama za,campaign?
For the law to change, the MCP must get 3/4 vote on the bill in parliament. Looking at the ATI bill which was tabled yesterday, MCP votes were only 60+. Even if the private members bill goes through, the status quo remains until a proper bill seeking for the constitutional amendment is introduced in parliament. Unless Chakwera brings nyau to vote in the house, this is a waste of time.
Maganizidwe onyozana kuti “wanyau” ndi amene akubwezera dziko lino m’mbuyo. Tiyeni tiyang’ane ubwino womwe malamulo ngati awa angabweretse ku dziko lathu, osati za nyau mukunenazo
Chokani inu ochotsa fumbi ana, mutha ndi Edzi kumeneko
As a vote from mulanje I am looking forward to the 50+1 threshold just like our neighbours i.e the zambians.This will give confidence to both to the voters and the winner of the presidency.It is a joke for a candidate to go to plot #1 with about 30% of the vote.These electoral laws are too lose and why speed the inauguration as well.This was done to runaway from legal challenges because of electoral fraud that is rampant.
The truth is that people are running away from 50+1 because of tribal FEAR.
So, MCP lives up to it’s reputation of lack of transparency!
What more would we expect from this Party which has been so correctly described, in the article, as BRUTAL in the past (and present.) And oChakwera, secret dealings like these are one sign of undermining democracy. Does this country want to go back to the pre-democracy MCP era? NO.
And, right here in this article, a real political picture or map, as currently perceived by those in the know, has been drawn or presented. Thusly: “… he (oChakwera) cannot win elections in Malawi in the current setup…” So true; payback time. And “The three regions (North, South and East are where MCP unleashed atrocities on Malawians …” True ‘dat, again.
Furthermore, MCP should fund the studies towards these reforms, rather than going around with begging bowl in hand to rich countries. Ironic, isn’t it, in that these countries themselves do NOT subscribe to the 50+1 doctrine: USA, GB, Germany, Canada, Japan you name it.
And, so, MCP may as well Rest and Relax in the seats on the Opposition side. Maybe for the next generation or two. Perhaps we should even stamp those seats “MCP” with indelible ink. Nothing wrong with that, at all.
this is NOT for Chakwera and M.C.P, nor all these people you have mentioned here, it is for all Malawians who has a good heart of poor Malawians who are to day still crying and dancing the tune of this D.P.P how they won election, You may agree with me that even you yourself you know what your heart has than what you have displayed here, so stop politicize this Electoral Reform bill buddy. I don’t think we should be standing up to day and call these people you have mentioned as Heroes because of this Bill, believe me people are crying out there and God is watching their tears, soon or later this bill will pass since it is the way how God want Malawians to enjoy in there on Land.
God bless Malawi!
Kaka, we don’t want communal mentality here speak for yourself! MCP does not speak for all Malawians but only the 28% masquerades from Central region who voted for them in 2014. God will never reward the MCP with the presidency ndizomwe anapanga mtundu waMalawi from 1964 – 1994. So stop invoking God’s name invain. MCP ndichipani chotembeleledwa ndipo dziko laMalawi sadzalamula mpakana Ambuye adzabwelenso. That is the grim reality. The fact that MCP is today disorganised, depleted in other regions except the Centre and fighting within themselves ndimatembelelo amenewo mukulangika. Ife azipani zina we don’t want the 50+ we are fine with the status quo. Stop poisoning our thinking. Take your proposals to parliament and muster enough votes to pass the legislation. That we have no qualms with. But to come here and try and brainwash us imeneyo sigwila. Ataaa!
The dark past of the MCP will haunt you mpakana kumanda. It does not matte whether we enact the 50+ law or whatever law – MCP WILL NEVER WIN A NATIONAL ELECTION! Pano MCP inango sanduka club ya vilombo zaku Central Region teleku inu mudzimvala ndikuvina nyauzo basi. Za ndalezi forget and forget big time. JZU anawononga MCP when he was tussling it out with late Gwanda to the extent no single structure of the MCP exists in the southern Region of the country. Apapa mungo phuphapo basi mufune musafune you cant win a national election.
Mr Zaya what ever you call yourself, this is Malawi our own country, am sure you don’t need to be reminded unless you are someone from somewhere, if you can see beyond your level of which am not sure you can, our country is in a mess because of your so called Government, buddy i don’t know how old you are but in my own observation you are 14yrs and given a title as a spoon in the house.
You don’t know even where you are coming from, and as well where you are going, for that am sorry.
Malawi was one of the best country in Africa, ask your Mother if she was there 25yrs ago.
You are right Kaka. Malawi has been sunk by these idiots who have no plans for our country and are there just to steal as much as they can. Malawi was once in good hands and things were going well. Those of us who grew up away from our home villages had a privilege of travelling to these villages during holidays and enjoy the countryside whose citizenry were not starving and had most basic needs met. I wonder how many people can now send their kids to the countryside for holidays?
There are a lot of things that need to change to bring sanity to those aspiring to be leaders and one of them is to make sure they have support of the whole country via electoral run-offs if they don’t have enough votes in the first round of voting. Being elected a president of a poor country with 36% of the vote is not good. Winner-takes-all electoral systems are not ideal particularly when resources are thin and when our country is witnessing pathetic abuse of power, non-performance and mediocrity. Change is good and we must embrace it.
Kaka, let me know when you are done wanking so that we can have a civil discourse. Apa dzingo pukusana dhala!
Heey! Guys,timayendera nthawi ife. We dont want the 2019 elections to be poorly done.We have a few months down the line.We need a leader and in this case it does not matter which one wins but as long as as he gets 50% Plus votes,Malawians would be home and dry.Malawi Law Commission has taken their time on the matter.You have been extremely slow on this matter of paramount importance.You should have been updating us on your progress.
We need to move very fast on the matter considering how parliament deliberates on issues that are for the betterment of our Future.I can imagine some Parliamentarians rejecting the bill on the premise that it is not well calculated as only a handful of people were consulted.
This is Malawi where issues of National importance go at snails pace while useless issues like that of Gays, Anniva of Nsanje can take the whole President to act.Issues of Severe Blackouts for example are Normal.Guys, we must be very Serious about our Future. Honorable Dimba, please go ahead please and i have no objections.If i were in Parliament even on government Seat, i would gladly welcome this vital Bill.By the way, if there any logic for all Parliamentarians on government side to vote the same way?
50% can take its course unless we reduce number of candidates to compete in the election race hence to achieve our objectives. Duwa and Dimba note that Malawian politicians are money hungers and they don’t need development but to feed themselves. Chakwera are also money fortuner, he pressures other quarters so that he can get sympathy from them. Leadership come from God not changing electoral laws, if God says Chakwera will take mantle of this Country surely will happen, (Acts 6), 1 Sam. 16:7; but the Lord said to Samuel; do not consider his appearance nor his height for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance but the Lord looks at the hear, therefore, it talks about qualities and characteristics how a leader is all about.