Malawi Parliament has passed the controversial Political Parties Amendment Bill that requests political parties to align their manifestos with the Malawi 2063 development blueprint.
The bill passed after several amendments on clauses which some law makers mainly those in the opposition argued were disadvantaging political parties.
Speaking in parliament before the bill was passed, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Lawmaker, George Chaponda expressed reservations over the bill on some clauses.
According to Chaponda, the bill was silent on action that is likely to be taken if a party does not align it’s manifesto to the MW2063 development blueprint which is one proposal in the bill.
While, opposition United Democratic Front (UDF) said the bill poses a threat to the existence of political freedom.
The bill will partly give power to the National Planning Commission (NPC) to ensure compliance by developing manifestos that advance the Malawi 2063 agenda.
