The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has announced a stricter vetting process for politicians seeking to join its ranks, a move aimed at strengthening internal discipline and safeguarding the party’s integrity.
The decision follows the adoption of a new party constitution, which introduces reforms designed to enhance accountability and curb opportunistic defections.
Speaking in Parliament, Minister of Justice and DPP Legal Advisor Charles Mhango said a special committee has been established to scrutinize all membership applications, with particular focus on politicians defecting from other parties.
“The vetting committee will assess each application and make recommendations to the party’s Central Committee, chaired by DPP President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika,” Mhango said.
He added that the initiative is intended to combat “political tourism”, the practice of switching parties for personal gain.
“Political tourism is dangerous because it allows individuals to bring unresolved issues and poor governance practices from their former parties,” Mhango said. “As the DPP, we want to ensure that those joining us share our values and are committed to our vision for Malawi.
”The reforms form part of a broader effort to restore public confidence in the DPP and promote stability within Malawi’s political landscape.
