By The Forum
Mzimba South MP Emmanuel Chambulanyina Jere says he will table the Constitution Amendment Bill on the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) this Thursday.
The move follows his Private Member’s Motion last week calling for legislation to regulate CDF operations and strengthen transparency, accountability, and proper management of the fund.
Updating Parliament on Wednesday, Jere said the proposed bill has attracted significant public interest, with many stakeholders submitting observations.
“A group of CSOs met me yesterday and we have resolved several issues. I call upon all Malawians who want to provide input to come forward so that all suggestions are incorporated before I present the bill,” he said, noting that Wednesday (26 November) was the deadline for submissions.
He also asked the Speaker to ensure the presence of all key leadership structures, including the Legal Affairs Committee, during the bill’s tabling.
The new legislation stems from a High Court ruling in May that declared the existing CDF guidelines unconstitutional. The court nullified MPs’ powers over the management and control of development funds, arguing that their dual role violated the doctrine of separation of powers. It directed that MPs be excluded from operational roles and that alternative stakeholders be identified to protect constitutional compliance and safeguard oversight integrity.
CDF has become a major political issue following President Peter Mutharika’s announcement to increase the fund’s allocation from MWK200 million to MWK5 billion per constituency starting in the 2026 financial year.
On Monday, 13 local NGOs demanded the withdrawal of the bill, saying it threatens constitutionalism, local governance, and accountability in public resource management. They fear the Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2025 — gazetted on 21 November — could overturn the recent court judgment, centralise development power in Parliament, and sideline institutions mandated to drive local development.
The NGOs also warned that returning operational control of the fund to MPs risks reviving a history of corruption associated with the previous arrangement.
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