MEC wants law to deregister inactive Malawi political parties

Pollster, the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) is proposing tough laws that would see inactive political parties being deregistered.

MEC chairperson Mackson Mbendera said on Wednesday during the official announcement of by-elections results that out 59 registered political parties in Malawi, only three participated in the parliamentary by-election in Zomba Chisi and local government by-elections in Lilongwe and Mchinji.

“If they can’t participate in elections, what are they here for,” wondered Mbendera.

The ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), the main opposition, the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) and the People’s Party participated in the parliamentary by-election whilst MCP and DPP participated in the two local government by-elections.

The DPP won the parliamentary by-election whilst the MCP won the local government by elections.

Mbendera said only 19 out of the 59 registered political parties participated in the 2014 general election.

Mark Katsonga, president of PPM told a radio station recently that him and his party go on political sabbatical leave after a general election to give the winning president and party embark on development programmes without political hindrance.