Political commentators believe the growing number of aspiring candidates choosing to contest as independents after losing primary elections reveals a lack of internal democracy and deep divisions within political parties.
This follows the announcement by several Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) members—including Jane Mandeule and Victoria Kingston, the current MP for Mangochi Central—of their intention to run as independent Members of Parliament.
These aspirants claim they were not satisfied with how the party handled primary elections in their respective areas.
Political commentator Wonderful Mkhutche said: “Aspirants assume that parties are imposing other candidates, which makes them lose faith in the process.”
“This has indeed been true in some cases, something unfortunate. No wonder, we keep seeing more independent MPs in Parliament as a block than those elected under a party.”
Mkhutche further noted that while it is every citizen’s right to run independently, the growing trend signals a serious lack of intraparty democracy.
Project Coordinator at the Institute for Policy Interaction, Praise Mwenegamba, warned that the rise in independent candidacies could weaken political parties ahead of the September general elections.
Meanwhile, the DPP, through its Secretary General Peter Mukhito, has since issued a warning that any member who chooses to stand as an independent candidate in the upcoming elections will automatically cease to be part of the party.
By Thumbiko Nyirongo, Phalombe
