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MALAWI-POLITICS-CRIME-CORRUPTION
New Malawi law aims to end political handouts
JOHANNESBURG, Dec 2, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Malawi has passed a law that will ban
politicians using cash payments and other incentives to buy support ahead of
key polls due in May next year.
The Political Parties Act, which came into force on Saturday, will see
candidates convicted of improperly swaying the electorate face fines of up to
10 million kwacha ($13,600) or five years in prison.
Campaign materials including posters, leaflets and clothing will be exempt
from the new law.
Malawi goes to the polls in presidential, parliamentary and council
elections on May 21 next year and candidates at every level have typically
used cash payments and gifts to secure support in advance of past votes.
University of Malawi political scientist Henry Chingaipe told AFP that the
new law will help clean up politics.
“We have propagated a culture of patrimonial politics through handouts,”
he said. “Instead of people voting out of conscience, you are essentially
buying their vote.”
Former president Joyce Banda’s Peoples Party (PP) said “we have to follow
what it says”.
May’s election will prove to be one of the most significant in Malawi’s
history as Banda, a popular former head of state, will face off against
President Peter Mutharika.
Banda is known for donating to the poor across the country, and a party
spokesman said it would “see how it will be implemented”.
Mutharika’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) said it would obey
the law “as we do with all other laws”.
The United Transformation Movement (UTM), led by presidential hopeful Vice
President Saulos Chilima who has broken ranks with Mutharika, said “we needed
this law yesterday”.
“We believe that people should be voted for because of the issues and
ideas that they propagate,” said UTM spokesman Joseph Chidanti Malunga.
Malawi is one of the world’s most aid-dependent countries and corruption
is rife.
Mutharika has become embroiled in a graft scandal after it emerged
specialist corruption detectives were investigating a suspect police rations
procurement deal.
BSS/AFP/RY/1730 hrs