On migrant MPs
During 2009 elections, Billy Kaunda left his Blantyre City South East Constituency to contest in Mzimba. With 2014 Tripartite Elections around the corner, some MPs are following his example and positioning themselves to contest in different constituencies away from their current areas. In the face of how it is growing, what is this tendency revealing about the nature of the country’s politics? EPHRAIM NYONDO talked with political analyst Michael Jana.
Q
What comes to your mind when MPs move from their constituencies and go to contest in another constituency?
A
Ideally, in a working constituency-based democracy, like the one we are using, I think there is nothing wrong with that as long as they are acting within the law. It is also important to understand the tendency from a global perspective in the sense that this phenomenon is not unique to Malawi. It has been happening in many established democracies like Canada and India.
Q
So, should Malawians, then, not read so much into it?
A
Basically, what matters when such relocations happen is the motivation. If, for instance, the relocating MPs are motivated by the need to enhance their effectiveness using their geographical, social and/or economic proximity to the new constituencies —factors behind the constituency demarcations – that would be in order and commendable. But if otherwise, then there is a big, big problem.
Q
In the context of Malawian politics, how do you assess these relocations?
A
Evidence on MPs’ legitimacy in Malawi overwhelmingly suggests that the relationship between MPs and constituents in Malawi is often based on manipulation and ignorance. Aspiring MPs, knowingly or unknowingly, often campaign on the platform of bringing local development to their constituencies, a mandate that largely falls outside the MPs’ legislative, executive oversight, and representative roles. No wonder, MPs often fail to bring the promised development because the institutional set-up does not effectively support that; ward councillors and other local authorities would best do that. The expectations of the constituents are also based on this distorted mandate. No wonder constituents are often left frustrated by the performance of the MPs. In this confused context, if some MPs are therefore relocating to other constituents to “bring the constituents local development” then they are either manipulative or ignorant hence are only interested in gaining power with its associated selfish benefits for that seem to be the remaining motivation.
Q
So the whole thing stems from distorted perspectives?
A
I would argue so. And most importantly, it really calls for greater appreciation of roles by the MPs themselves and a conscious and critical public that should sieve truths from propaganda. This is where, I would argue, the gist of the problem stems. There is a lot of ignorance and politicians understand this ignorance, as a result, capitalising it to their political advantage.
Q
Do you see this tendency, in the long run, having effects on the country’s democracy?
A
If aspiring MPs continue to relocate without any meaningful motivation other than mere political calculation, then this will undermine the basis of our democracy that aim at putting the needs of the people first. This tendency will also reflect badly on political party policies for one tends to wonder why the parties are not regulating such baseless migration. However, I am also mindful with the fact that with the coming of the councillors, it is my hope that, perhaps, people will begin to understand the roles of the MPs and what they should expect from them. Once this riddle is solved, the tendency of relocations, it is my hope, would fade away.
Q
Any other remarks
A
Ultimately, of course, as substantive democratic culture entrenches among Malawians, they will easily vote out baseless political migrants and such relocations will be unattractive. Mind you, the past three elections have actually shown that on average less than 40% of MPs are voted back into office, and this tells us that Malawians are watching and have the capacity to weed out MPs whom they deem selfish.
