Transformation Alliance calls for Malawi Constitution Review

Malawi’s political movement Transformation Alliance (TA) has called for the review of the Constitution of The Republic of
Malawi.

The call is among several demands outlined in a 16 paged Communique from the group’s first ever National Conference held at the St. Pius Catholic Hall on 25th-26th August 2017.

Among other things, the Communique states that: “Theoretically, the constitution ought to have been built on two principles of separation of powers and the protection of Citizens’ human rights and freedom”.

Leader of the Alliance,  Moses Kunkuyu told Nyasa Times in a telephone interview that if the dream to have a transformed political landscape in Malawi is anything to go by, then there is a need to have separation of powers betweeen the Executive, Legislative and
Judiciary.

“The failure to separate powers between the Executive, Legislature and Judiciary has negatively impacted the economic and political landscape in our country. As it stands today, our constitution does not safeguard for separation of powers. The executive control funding and other major appointments,” said Kunkuyu.

He therefore asked Member of Parliament (MP’s) of good will who truthfully serve the people of Malawi to push for change on some of
the laws in the Republican Constutiton.

“Currently we are having a rotten political system that will never change anything even if we can keep on changing presidents. We say
MP’s represent people so we want them to push for what Malawians are looking for,” he said.

“It is high time we have politicians  who can humble themselves and embrace change for the betterment of our next generation” he added.

In the communique, the TA also demands that the President should be able to appear before parliament and answer critical
questions as well as allowing people to vote through a referendum when there are serious matters of national interest.

It also states that some of the electoral Laws need to be changed including the adoption 50+1 -that that for a person to be declared winner in an election the person must amass at least 50+1 percent of the total votes cast.

A political science associate professor at University of Malawi’s Chancellor College, Mustapha Hussein, points out that although the 50+1 has its demerits, for instance, costs as it may require enormous resources for the second round voting in case no presidential candidate gets outright absolute majority in the first round; the system addresses problems that include the issue of regionalism.

“This is because the electorate across the country and regions will be required to vote in the two-round system for a presidential candidate who may not come from their region,” he noted.

But Hussein said the 50+1 system enables the candidate who enjoys absolute majority to assume the office of the president; such a candidate will enjoy credibility and legitimacy as he or she will have the support of the majority.

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