LILONGWE, Malawi — Malawi’s Parliament has passed a contentious constitutional amendment entrenching the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) into the nation’s supreme law, a decision that has ignited intense public debate over political accountability and the expanding power of Members of Parliament.
The amendment — Bill No. 2 of 2025 — sailed through the House on Thursday with overwhelming support: 199 MPs voted in favour, 25 were absent, and none opposed.
The unanimity has raised concern among governance experts who expected a more contested vote given the Bill’s far-reaching consequences for fiscal oversight and local development.
Introduced as a Private Member’s Bill by Mzimba South MP Emmanuel Chambulanyina Jere (MCP), the amendment inserts the CDF into the Constitution, spelling out its purpose, management structure, and guiding principles.
Its most controversial provision places the fund under direct governance of MPs, “as prescribed by an Act of Parliament,” effectively consolidating control of constituency-level development spending in the hands of legislators.
The Bill’s advancement was accelerated after Dedza Central MP Joshua Malango (MCP) moved a motion to cut short debate and force an immediate vote — a procedural step that civil society groups say undermined transparency and shut out dissenting voices.
For years, Malawi’s CDF has been dogged by allegations of mismanagement, political interference, and misuse of funds. Critics warn that constitutionalising MP control risks deepening these problems.
Civil society actors and anti-corruption advocates argue that the amendment weakens local governance structures and could entrench patronage networks, especially in rural constituencies where MPs hold significant political influence.
They warn that without independent audits and clear transparency mechanisms, the constitutional change could erode fiscal accountability.
Supporters of the amendment, however, say it will stabilise constituency financing by guaranteeing predictable development resources across all districts. Proponents argue that MPs, by virtue of their proximity to communities, are better positioned to identify urgent local needs and ensure projects are delivered.
They also maintain that embedding the CDF in the Constitution protects it from political manipulation by future administrations.
With the amendment now part of Malawi’s constitutional framework, attention shifts to the next critical phase: drafting an Act of Parliament that will detail how MPs will manage, allocate, and report on CDF spending.
Analysts warn that the strength — or weakness — of forthcoming legislation will determine whether the fund becomes a catalyst for development or a driver of corruption.
Accountability bodies, including the Malawi Law Society and leading governance institutions, have urged Parliament to craft strong regulatory safeguards, including mandatory public audits, clear reporting structures, community participation requirements, and penalties for misuse of funds.
As Malawians absorb the impact of Parliament’s decision, the broader question persists: does this constitutional amendment mark a milestone in decentralised development financing — or a consolidation of political power that places public resources at greater risk?
