While major political parties are fighting to win the presidency in the September 16 2025 General Elections, for smaller parties the elections present an opportunity for survival.
For those parties that have existed for a long time, but have not won any seats and those facing elections for the first time, they will contend with the Political Parties Act 2018 (PPA), which warns of deregistration if parties fail to fulfill some requirements.
Section 16 (1) (b) of the PPA mandates the Registrar of Political Parties to deregister a party where the party that fails to meet certain criteria.
Reads the section in part: “[The] registrar is obliged to deregister a party where the party has secured none of the following after two general elections: [i], at least a seat in parliamentary elections; or [ii] at least five per cent of national votes for parliamentary elections; or [iii] at least two seats in local government elections or 10 per cent of the total national votes in the local government elections.”
During a recent announcement of registration of three political parties, Political Parties Registrar Kizito Tenthani warned that his office will not hesitate to implement the provisions under Section 16(1) (b) of the PPA.
“This is a message to all registered political parties. While you may be celebrating your registration, you must remain mindful of the legal obligations and electoral performance requirements. The law is clear and compliance is non-negotiable,” he said.
This means, if some parties fail to meet the threshold in the September 16 elections, these parties must achieve the targets by 2030, failing which, they will be deregistered.
In a written response, an expert in electoral and identity politics Ernest Thindwa said in the absence of socio-economic programme differentiation, ethnic and regional identities become the default bases for electoral mobilisation which works against minor parties.
He said: “The new and minor parties will find the electoral terrain unforgiving. Securing seats in Parliament or local government councils will largely be determined by the personalities they field than the party appeal.
“Multiplicity of parties in Malawi has not added value to political competition and consolidation of democracy because party formations have been an outcome of reconciled competing personal egos fueling the quest for power as an end in itself.”
Political analyst Wonderful Mkutche said smaller parties need to strategise on the minimum requirement of the law for their survival so that they stay afloat as they strengthen themselves for the 2030 General Elections.
“Surviving in the opposition is not easy in Malawi. In our presidential system of government, the winner has it all and the losers have to endure five years of being in the opposition where they constantly have to stay afloat and relevant.
“After all, most of the bigger parties will be going through leadership changes between now and 2030. To do this while in the opposition, a party risks weakening itself, unlike when a party is in power where the transitioning is smoother,” he said.
On his part, Political Science Association spokesperson Mavuto Bamusi said consistent failure to win any election is self-destructive and a vote of no confidence in the existence of parties.
“Parties that only exist on paper are abusing the constitutional rights and freedoms, and should, therefore, be deregistered. Optionally, they can be allowed to exist as pressure groups so that their quest for freedom of association is not violated,” he said.
But legal expert Justin Dzonzi, while agreeing with concerns that deregistration may infringe on freedom of association, argued that a party that cannot secure a seat for 10 years means it has been rejected by people.
He said: “Deregistration would encourage political parties to work together. There is a cost we pay towards that during elections because we have a multiplicity of candidates, even when some know they can’t secure a seat.
“The period might be debatable, maybe put it three consecutive elections. Imagine parties that had MPs in the past and lose in subsequent two elections, it is possible for them to win again, so I would prefer extension to three general elections.”
Meanwhile, leader of one of the newly registered party National Democratic Party (NDP) Frank Mwenifumbo said in an interview that their focus is to align the ideals of the party with those of the electorate.
“We have been to many parts of the country and we are getting support. We want to enhance agricultural productivity and ensure economic growth. I have been in government before and I know what to do. We are not afraid of that law,” he said.
The newly registered political parties include Patriotic Citizens Party (PCP), Solidarity Alliance Party (SA) and Anyamata Atsikana Azimai Party (AAA).
Malawi now has 23 parties in total.
