The Office of the Registrar of Political Parties has warned candidates in Ighembe Ward in Karonga Songwe Constituency against giving handouts ahead of the March 17 2026 by-election.
The office’s registrar Kizito Tenthani, speaking on Saturday at Ighembe Teacher Development Centre during a meeting with candidates, political parties, religious and traditional leaders to unpack Political Parties Act, said the session was meant to remind candidates and community leaders that Section 41 of the Political Parties Act prohibits and criminalises handouts.
“However, the same law nods to facilitation, which is in form of transport to the entourage that helps candidates to organise political rallies. It also talks of religious obligations and funeral offerings that they should not be publicised,” he said.
However, UTM Party aspiring candidate Thumbiko Kaonga faulted the office for allegedly looking aside when political party leaders from governing parties dish out handouts.
He said: “This law only targets independent and opposition parties’ candidates.
I suggest that Parliament should scrape off this law from the Constitution because it is biased.”
But Muvi Wa Chilungamo Revolutionary Party candidate Margaret Mwakalinga said the meeting clarified sticky elements of the Act to players in the by-election.
In an interview, Malawi Electoral Commission Karonga district elections officer Elias Nyirenda said his office is always overwhelmed with complaints about handouts during elections.
Eight candidates are contesting in the by-election in the ward
