By Burnett Munthali
A white Bongo minibus, reportedly bearing Malawi Congress Party (MCP) branding and equipped with speakers, was spotted distributing cash to registered voters at Masintha in Lilongwe on Tuesday. The minibus was seen driving along the Area 23 road from the city center early in the morning, raising speculation about its purpose.
According to eyewitnesses, the distribution of cash occurred around 15:30 hours. The scene reportedly attracted a significant crowd of individuals believed to be registered voters. Unfortunately, our efforts to document the incident were thwarted as our phone battery ran out, leaving us unable to capture photographic evidence.
One eyewitness alleged, “We saw people lining up near the minibus, receiving cash. It’s disappointing to see this kind of behavior during election campaigns.”
The MCP has yet to respond to these allegations, despite repeated attempts to seek their comment.
Political experts have expressed concern over the implications of such activities on the integrity of Malawi’s democratic processes. Handouts during campaign periods are often criticized for undermining issue-based politics and reducing elections to transactional engagements.
Meanwhile, the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) has urged political parties to adhere to the code of conduct for campaigns, emphasizing the need for fairness and transparency.
As the country edges closer to the 2025 general elections, incidents like this highlight the need for strict oversight and enforcement of campaign regulations to protect the credibility of Malawi’s democratic process.
Further investigations are underway to verify the authenticity of the claims and the individuals behind the cash distribution.
