Thirty-three years after reverting to multiparty democracy, governance and political experts say the hope that comes with elections has not translated into tangible socio-economic gains for Malawians.
The observation dominated the opening of the 4th Biennial Conference of the Political Science Association (PSA) in Salima yesterday, held under the theme: ‘Malawi’s Democracy at the Crossroads? Maturing Institutions or a Tailspin into Uncertainty?’
Speakers agreed that while Malawians continue to vote with optimism and power has been transferred peacefully, the system reflects resilience rather than institutional maturity.
PSA President Henry Chingaipe said there is a growing disconnect between democratic expectations and lived realities.
“A lot of people, or a significant proportion of them, believe we were doing a lot better socially and economically before we became democratic. There is an inverse relationship between hopes and realities.
“People are becoming dissatisfied with the electoral outcomes, but much more so from the point of economic progress and social progress. So, is it about democracy or is it about the people who get elected?” he said.
Chingaipe added that facts on the ground, at least from credible Afro-Barometer surveys, show that the trend is upwards in terms of the proportions of Malawians that are becoming dissatisfied with electoral democracy.
Co-chief editor of the Malawi Journal of Politics and Public Affairs, Professor Happy Kayuni, said citizen frustration is deepening, especially among the youth.
He told delegates that some young people have coined the phrase ‘degree ichepe, passport ikule’ – better to have a passport than a degree – as they consider leaving the country for opportunities abroad.
“Are we at the cusp of our institutions maturing, or are we sliding into a chain-spin of uncertainty? Sometimes when I look at my students, what they post on their WhatsApp, I think they feel it is better to run away from this voting box,” Kayuni said.
Keynote speaker, political scientist and governance expert Augustine Magolowondo, said while participation remains high, public evaluation of what democratic institutions deliver has become more critical.
“Malawians continue to participate in elections and attach importance to their choices. When you assess our democratisation trends from an inclusion point of view, you are able to identify groups that are considered excluded,” he said.
“We have seen institutions within the same democratic system differing substantially in stability, enforcement, utilisation, autonomy, capacity and legitimacy. But that unevenness does not by itself explain democratic resilience.”
Magolowondo added that leaders need to deliver services that people expect when in government, but also civic awareness to enlighten the electorate about the core mandates of certain institutions.
Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) Chairperson Justice Annabel Mtalimanja, who was the guest of honour, challenged delegates to reflect on the future trajectory.
“We have peaceful elections, then what? Going forward, shall we continue on this trajectory? Are we going to retrogress or have we retrogressed already?” she asked.
In the post 2025 elections, she urged PSA to look at what can be done to ensure democratic institutions are strengthened, and help to enhance citizen participation and inclusivity.
The discussion comes as Malawians continue facing several socio-economic challenges that include high cost of living, persistent electricity blackouts, water, gas and fuel shortages and forex woes.
The two-day conference is discussing topical issues, including political party financing and accountability, the impact of constituency boundaries on fair representation, transactional voting, public debt and fiscal governance, state and public sector reforms, parliamentary absenteeism and candidate selection in political parties.
