INDEPENDENTS STAND OUT AS PARLIAMENTARY CANDIDATES

UNCLAS LILONGWE 000244

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KDEM PINR MI
SUBJECT: INDEPENDENTS STAND OUT AS PARLIAMENTARY CANDIDATES

REF: 03 LILONGWE 1202


1. (U) On the official roster of candidates contesting in the
May 18 parliamentary elections, each parliamentary district
generally has between 4 and 13 candidates, with a notable
number of contestants registered as independents. The ruling
United Democratic Front (UDF)/Alliance for Democracy (AFORD)
coalition, the opposition Mgwirizano Coalition, Malawi
Congress Party (MCP),and National Democratic Alliance (NDA)
were the only parties able to field contestants nationally,
but with heavy concentrations in their respective regions of
main support. Many of the independent candidates are recent
defectors from the ruling UDF. Most parliamentary districts
have at least one female contestant.

COMMENT
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2. (SBU) Large numbers of independent candidates contesting
in parliamentary elections is a new phenomenon for Malawi and
is likely a result of discontent about the ways in which
party primaries were run. While the presence of independents
represents a new willingness by candidates to maneuver
outside the generally machine-like operations of the
political parties, it is uncertain that candidates contesting
as independents, if successful, will remain unaffiliated,
especially if their former party is voted into power. In
most instances, the independents separated from their parties
after losing a primary race, and they have no real grievances
with their former party. (It is telling to note, however,
that party discipline within the ruling UDF is eroding.) At
any rate, Parliament after the May elections will be much
more politically diverse than at present. At least seven
parties are poised to win one or more seats in the House, and
the creation and interplay of parliamentary coalitions will
likely tax the National Assembly's ability to critically
examine and pass legislation.
BROWNING