Constitutional and Political Parties Act (PPA) provisions restricting State financing to entities with at least 10 percent of the national vote have drawn fresh calls for amendments to level the playing field, including embracing independents.
In separate interviews yesterday, seven political parties that have secured less than 10 percent of the 229 seats in Parliament said they will lobby for a review of the provisions, a call that has divided opinions among political and legal pundits.
Based on the September 16 2025 General Election parliamentary race results declared by Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC), Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) won 78 seats and Malawi Congress Party (MCP) secured 53 seats.
On the other hand, UTM Party won eight, United Democratic Front (UDF) four, People’s Party (PP) and Alliance for Democracy (Aford) took three each while People’s Development Party (PDP), Freedom Party (FP) and National Development Party (NDP) secured one each.
From the results, only DPP and MCP qualify to receive funding from the public purse during the 2025-2030 Parliament.
Section 40(2) of the Constitution says “the State shall provide funds so as to ensure that, during the life of any Parliament, any political party which has secured more than one-tenth of the national vote in elections in that Parliament has sufficient funds to represent its constituency”. The Political Parties Act (PPA) of 2018 also affirmed the provision in Section 21(1).
But FP president Khumbo Kachali said the framers of the law did not envisage the emergence of many independent legislators who have even surpassed the numbers attained by the largest opposition party.
In a separate interview, Aford secretary general Linda Limbe said all parties have structures and obligations requiring funding to support their operations and help constituents.
On his part, UTM Party national publicity secretary Felix Njawala also called for a review, but stressed the need to consider original intention of the provision.
NDP president Frank Mwenifumbo, UDF secretary general Genarino Lemani, PDP secretary general Simeon Phiri and PP spokesperson Ackson Kalaile Banda also shared similar sentiments
Chipping in, electoral and identity politics expert Ernest Thindwa said the current law controls proliferation of parties, but observed that it was “too strict” given that some parties with political representation are left out.
“So, the proposal to review the law is important. We need to have a fixed amount of how much can be given to parties and the money should be distributed according to their representation,” he said.
However, political analyst Wonderful Mkhutche warned against lowering the threshold, saying in its present form it prevents the formation of political parties just to seek State funding.
“Parties must fight for the numbers, and the State funding will be there for them,” he said.
Taking his turn, Malawi Law Society (MLS) honorary secretary Francis M’mame said widening the threshold to accommodate all parties represented in Parliament could strengthen democratic inclusivity, but leave out independent legislators
“This could dilute effectiveness and accountability and encourage self-interest thereby defeating the whole purpose of why State funding is given,” he said.
Last year, immediate-past president Lazarus Chakwera rejected a PPA amendment Bill which Parliament passed to allow funding to all parties represented in the House, saying the move contravened provisions of Section 40(2) of the Constitution.
Section 22 of the PPA stipulates that State funding shall be used for promoting representation in Parliament, covering election expenses and meeting administrative and staff expenses of the beneficiary party.
Registrar of Political Parties Kizito Tenthani in on record to have said MCP received K352 million while DPP received K360 million between 2019 and 2024.
But beneficiary parties have struggled to account for the money.
The registrar has since given the two parties until October 31 2025 to account for the funds received.
