Opinion: Political Parties Face Challenges Ahead of Malawi's Tripartite Elections
Political parties in Malawi face obstacles including the 50+1 electoral law, unfulfilled campaign promises, and intra-party leadership disputes.
BLANTYRE, MALAWI — With 690 days remaining until Malawi's third tripartite elections, political parties are gearing up for a fierce campaign season, writes Francis Polinyu Banda.
However, they face several challenges that could impact their chances of success.
One major hurdle is the 50+1 electoral law, which compels parties to win with a majority, forcing political parties to form alliances to secure victory.
The law, implemented ahead of the 2020 fresh presidential elections, saw the Tonse Alliance government come to power.
This alliance, consisting of nine political parties, demonstrated the importance of working together to achieve electoral success.
However, maintaining alliances is proving to be a delicate task.
The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP)-United Democratic Front (UDF) alliance, which was formed for the previous elections, has disbanded.
The Tonse alliance is also facing difficulties in balancing the demands of its various partners, potentially hindering the implementation of the national agenda.
Opinion surveys suggest that Malawians are not satisfied with the governance provided by the current alliance government.
The upcoming elections on September 25, 2025, will be a crucial test for the alliance's popularity and effectiveness.
Another challenge facing political parties is the issue of unfulfilled campaign promises.
Despite receiving support from citizens, donors, and loans for development projects, politicians often fail to deliver on their commitments.
Natural disasters and political opponents are often blamed, but the public expects accountability and results.
Intra-party leadership squabbles are also causing divisions within political parties.
The opposition DPP is currently experiencing internal conflicts, raising doubts about its ability to present a united front in the next elections.
The departure of the UDF from the previous alliance further weakens the DPP's position.
As the countdown to the 2025 elections continues, political parties will need to address these challenges if they hope to secure victory.
The 50+1 electoral law, unfulfilled campaign promises, and intra-party leadership disputes will all play a significant role in shaping the political landscape of Malawi in the coming years.