Civil Society Organizations in the country have urged political parties to follow their party constitutions by providing equal platforms for all aspirants, including youths, during the upcoming by-elections.
Both the Young Politician Union and the Center for Democracy and Elections (CEDE) note that recently, political officials have chosen to turn a blind eye to fundamental principles of democracy and party constitutions by imposing party candidates of their choice, thereby denying citizens participation and the voice of the people.
The remarks come ahead of by-elections in five constituencies and nine councillor wards scheduled for March 17, 2026.
Speaking to Umunthu FM on Tuesday, National Director of the Young Politician Union, Clement Makuwa, said political parties must take lessons from the September 16 general election outcome, where many party-endorsed candidates were unsuccessful.
“You can see that most of the candidates who were endorsed by political parties and powerful party leaders during the September 16, 2026 general election did not make it,” Makuwa said.
“This is against the principles of democracy. Let the people decide whom to choose as their leader,” he added.
Makuwa therefore appealed to political parties and their officials to respect the rule of law by allowing citizens in all constituencies and communities holding by-elections this year to freely express themselves through voting for leaders of their choice.
“Let me remind all Malawians that the country adopted democratic principles of governance in 1993. Political parties and party officials must therefore respect the rule of law by incorporating citizens’ voices and participation,” he said.
Concurring with Makuwa, Executive Director of the Center for Democracy and Elections (CEDE), Alloysius Mnthenda, also urged political parties to adhere to their party constitutions and manifestos, reminding them that people in a democratic country have the right to choose leaders of their choice.
Mnthenda emphasized, “When parties develop constitutional policies, those provisions are supposed to be followed, and we expect political parties to apply them during the upcoming by-elections. Parties must follow people’s views and choices.”
The Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) is preparing to conduct by-elections in five constituencies and nine councillor wards due to the death of candidates, postponement, and nullification of elections following MEC rulings and court orders.
Meanwhile, the electoral body announced that it closed registration in the ongoing voter registration exercise for the by-elections on Friday last week.
