By Chisomo Phiri
Malawi parliament on Thursday passed a motion for political party financing which was moved by Zomba-Ntonya legislator Nedson Poya.
Among other important things,the current law provides that a political party can only get funding from Parliament if it gets 10 percent of the national vote.
The new bill seeks to bring new amendments where political parties will get funding based on the number of MPs it has in Parliament.
Speaking in parliament, Poya said the new bill will be a watertight legislation that will also promote transparency and accountability of the funds received by the parties.
Having passed the motion, Deputy Speaker of Parliament Madalitso Kazombo, who presided over parliament on the day, said Poya will work with the Parliamentary technical team to draft the bill which will later be brought to Parliament for deliberations.
Commenting on the matter, DPP MP Ben Phiri said it is important that political parties get financing to support their operations.
He said the lack of financing pushes parties to allow financiers who come as donors, especially during the campaign period, but end up pushing for business as investors when the party they financed gets into power.
