Small political parties under attack

Political parties in Malawi perceived as small on the political front are wasting time and resources gearing up for the 2014 tripartite elections because they simply offer sustenance to their leaders’ political careers.

Speaking in an interview on Tuesday, Chancellor College associate professor of political science Blessings Chinsinga said as much as people are exercising their rights by forming groups, having over 40 parties in the country is unrealistic.

He mentioned the current ruling People’s Party (PP) and the opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), the United Democratic Front (UDF) and the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) as “serious contenders for honours in 2014.”

Chinsinga argued that most political parties are formed with no objectives and offer no solutions to people’s problems. He said it is high time the leaders defined themselves.

He said the small parties are formed because the major parties have failed to manage their internal politics.

Malawi has over 40 political parties registered, but most of them have insignificant followings and unclear manifestos.

Mzuzu Catholic Diocese secretary Arnold Msimuko also argued that the potential parties in Malawi are UDF, DPP, MCP and PP.

He urged politicians not to abuse their rights.

Alliance for Democracy (Aford) president Godfrey Shawa said despite criticism that the small parties are a nuisance, Aford has hope for Malawians.

Petra president Kamuzu Chibambo said his party does not belong to the so-called small parties with no guidance. He said his party has been at the centre of the fight for social economic change.

People’s Progressive Movement (PPM) president Mark Katsonga also said the so-called small parties are an answer to problems Malawians are facing as the big parties have failed to solve the problems they created.

He said people should also stop referring to the parties as small, arguing that parties that people call big also started small.