What is meant to be a democratic process in choosing candidates to represent political parties in the forthcoming Parliamentary and Local Government Elections is proving to be a façade.
As observed in some of the political parties that have started the processes, commonly referred to as primary elections, some candidates are being imposed on the electorate while others that appear to have a strong following are being frustrated by the system.
This continues to cause chaos and in some extreme situations, some candidates have had to obtain court orders in desperate attempts to ensure democracy prevails.
Other disgruntled candidates have opted to shun the primaries and quit respective political parties, preferring to contest in the forthcoming elections on an independent ticket.
Experts say the trend signals lack of deep intraparty democracy that has been entrenched in Malawi’s politics for decades.
Numerous studies highlights that the pretence that mar such internal political party elections eat into the credibility of Malawi’s democracy.
For instance, author Jeroen Mimpen, in his article titled, Intraparty democracy and its discontents on democratisation in a volatile political landscape,argues that internal political party elections do not signify real intraparty democracy as it is mostly a paraded formality only.
Political analyst Wonderful Mkhutche concurs with Mimpen’s arguments and further argues with the current primary elections, the process has been so far from convincing.
Mkhutche says it is sad that some political party leaders like imposing candidates on people as if they know better in regards to what the electorate wants.
He says this is against values and principles of democracy.
Says Mkhutche:“If this route is taken, we are going to continue seeing more members of Parliament entering the National Assembly as independent candidates which is not wrong on its own.
“But when this results from political parties failing to handle their internal businesses, it becomes worrying.”
Similarly, another political analyst Ernest Thindwa argues that the ongoing chaos in the primary elections should not be surprising as stakes in pursuing political office tend to be high.
He said that for the majority of individuals vying for political office, it is a survival or progress as politics has emerged as a lucrative industry in Malawi.
Says Thindwa: “Most participants pursue political office not because they have a particular societal cause and want to serve to contribute towards addressing societal challenges.”
He further says lack of political party organisation has also created a conducive environment for pursuing political office without due respect for formal rules.
As such, Thindwa argues that political parties cannot claim to be platforms for advancing the popular will, but rather, instruments for the influential to optimise personal gain from politics as an industry.
His observations also reinforce what author Chikumbutso Willard argue in his article titled ‘Does intra-party democracy exist in Malawi’s political parties’ that democracy is just a mere word in political circles as there are far greater interests pursued by politicians which often ignited intraparty tension.
Reads the paper :“Since the introduction of democracy in Malawi in 1994, various political groups in the country have claimed to handle their affairs democratically. Almost all political parties in Malawi claim to be democratic, but upon closer inspection, it becomes clear that democracy is just a big word.
“In the end, it is clear that intraparty democracy does not exist in Malawi’s political parties, as evidenced by a series of intra-party conflicts that pose a significant threat to Malawi’s democracy. It is a shame that democracy has failed to take root within political institutions like Malawi Congress Party, United Democratic Front, Alliance for Democracy and Democratic Progressive Party.”
Willard further argues that democracy can thus be spread throughout the country if it first flourishes within the respective political parties.
