By Linda Kwanjana

Governance and Human Rights Advocate, Undule Mwakasungula while reflecting on Integrity and Leadership on the just ended Political Party Conventions, says these are crucial events which serves as key process in selecting leadership that will shape the direction of the country as we heads towards the 2025 general elections.

In a press release dated 17th September, 2024 Mwakasungula saluted parties for conducting organized conventions demonstrating importance of internal democracy within political parties.

“Malawi Congress Party, (MCP) in particular, held a convention that was lauded for its orderliness and inclusivity. The process was transparent but also allowed various voices within the party to contest and present their visions for the future,” reads part of the statement.

He also adds that two convention held by the opposition Democratic Progressive Party, (DPP) and People’s Party, (PP) attracted attention reflecting party members committiment ensuring their parties remain relevant.

He also alluded to the best work from the media delivered during the conventions as reports were thorough, providing Malawians with real-time updates and this is commendable work that can never be overlooked.

However, Mwakasungula observed some kind of corruption cases that embroiled as this raises some questions about the intergrity of both the candidates and the political parties.

“For a candidate with pending corruption charges to be considered for leadership in a political party is not only damaging to the party’s reputation but also to the nation’s political image,” the statement further said.

He further said allowing individuals who are still facing corruption allegations to contest for leadership sends a concerning message as it raises questions about whether these candidates could be trusted with national responsibility.

“It is important to understand that leadership, requires individuals to exhibit a high level of intergrity and public trust. A leader facing corruption charges cannot effectively inspire this trust,” he said.

He therefore urged parties to prioritize intergrity by ensuring that candidates clear their legal issues before seeking leadership positions as this will enhance both the party’s credibility and the trust of Malawians  and for the sake of party’s future and nation’s well being, political parties must enforce vetting mechanism that prevent candidates with unresolved legal issues or corruption issues from contesting in elective leadership positions.

He also mentioned another important lesson from the convention saying as the need for parties that are yet to hold their elective conventions, such as United Transformation Movement, (UTM) to protect their core vision and values from being hijacked by opportunities who might be seeking leadership positions solely for personal gains.

“In Malawi’s politics there is a growing trend of individuals crossing over from one party to another in search of leardership opportunities without having the party’s best interest at heart. Allowing outsiders to contest for leardership could be detrimental as these opportunists often priotize personal egos over the party’s main interests,” he said.

He therefore encouraged political parties to ensure those vying for leadership positions are committed to the party’s principles and long-term goals, as if not these parties risks being over taken over by individuals whose only object is to attain power and sell the parties as it was with UDF with Late Bingu Wa Mutharika’s DPP.

He also mentioned of hand-picking or imposition leaders as a threat to integrity of internal democracy processes sighting that UTM must learn from this and ensure that their leadership is selected through transparent and competitive processes as genuine internal democracy allows for the emergency of strong, legitimate leaders who command the trust of both party members and the electorate.

“Imposed leaders often lack this legitimacy, leading to disunity and distrust within the party,” he further said.