Many Malawians do not see value in the vice presidency and believe the role should be abolished
Many people believe Malawi no longer needs the office of the vice president as pressure grows to scrap one of the country’s highest constitutional offices.
The debate intensified after Vice President Jane Ansah dismissed reports of a fallout with President Peter Mutharika. The latest Malawi24 poll found that most participants favour abolishing the office, arguing that it consumes public resources while offering little value.
A total of 78 percent of respondents supported abolishing the vice presidency. Only 22 percent said the office remains important for democracy and constitutional stability.
The poll is not a reflection of the personal popularity of Vice President Jane Ansah or Second Vice President Enoch Chihana. Instead, many participants focused on the long history of tensions between presidents and their deputies since the return of multiparty democracy in 1994.
Former president Bakili Muluzi publicly clashed with his deputy Justin Malewezi. Successive administrations have also experienced strained relations between presidents and vice presidents, with some Veeps facing criminal investigations or political isolation after falling out with their presidents.
Recent reports suggesting a fallout between Ansah and Mutharika helped reignite the debate. However, Ansah dismissed the claims as unfounded and insisted that she remains in regular contact with the president.
Several respondents pointed to the fallout between former President Lazarus Chakwera and Vice President Saulos Chilima. Their strained relationship fuelled political speculation before Chilima’s death in a plane crash in Chikangawa in June 2024.
While some Malawians continue to suspect foul play, no evidence has emerged linking the crash to political disputes and official investigations have not established any such connection.
Many participants argued that the vice presidency has become a source of political rivalry rather than an effective instrument of governance.
“Chotsani office ya vice president… ikusakaza makobili,” wrote Makayiko Majorson Phiri. Another participant, Born Born, said: “No, abolish it. Sizikupindula konse. VP palibe anasangalalapo mmalawi muno.”
Some participants proposed replacing the office altogether. Inno Moffat Lex Chilanga suggested abolishing the vice presidency and creating the position of prime minister to oversee government ministers.
Others supported reform rather than abolition. Callisto Chisoni argued that the vice president should have clearly defined constitutional responsibilities instead of relying on duties delegated by the president.
Supporters of the vice presidency maintain that the office remains essential for constitutional continuity. They point to 2012 when then vice president Joyce Banda succeeded the late president Bingu wa Mutharika following his death in office. The office has also served as a constitutional safeguard during periods of political uncertainty and has helped ensure peaceful transfers of power. Malawi’s Constitution provides for a vice president elected alongside the president. The office becomes particularly significant during periods of national crisis, presidential incapacity or succession.
while the Malawi24 poll is not a scientific survey and may not reflect the views of the wider population, the poll attracted participation from both Malawians at home and those living abroad. A majority of respondents, 76 percent, are based in Malawi, while 20 percent said they were living in South Africa. The remaining participants were spread across other countries.
In the previous Malawi24 opinion poll, participants backed President Arthur Peter Mutharika and expressed confidence in his leadership, with many saying they would vote for him again if an election were held today. The latest poll therefore appears to reflect concerns about the office of the vice president itself rather than dissatisfaction with the current administration or its leading office holders.
