They walked out of Parliament Friday, for the last time until Malawi goes to the polls, with the tag of history makers on them for serving six years instead of the prescribed five. But how will that history judge the performance of these members of Parliament?

By Cathy Maulidi:

As members of Parliament (MPs) filed out of the chamber and the National Assembly premises Friday and as the gates behind them slammed shut, it was the last time some of them will be in that place again.

The lawmakers will not reconvene until after the national vote in September where some of them, if not many, will lose — if they contest at all.

They walked out holding the distinction of serving an unprecedented six-year term, a deviation from the standard five-year cycle.

This extension was a direct consequence of the 2020 Constitutional Court ruling that nullified the 2019 Presidential election results.

The subsequent revote necessitated a realignment of the presidential and parliamentary terms, culminating in the MPs’ tenure being extended to coincide with the 2025 Presidential elections.

But how will history judge them?

Mixed rating

As the parliamentary session concluded, a critical assessment of the six-year term has brought a mixed rating, with public discourse focusing on whether this extended period in office translated into tangible benefits for the Malawian populace or represented a period of stagnation.

For the average Malawian on the street, this felt as yet another pointless time.

Noel Msiska from Lilongwe said the MPs had once again prioritised their own interests over the struggles of Malawians.

“The excessive absenteeism of MPs this term clearly demonstrates their self-interest,” Msika said.

Another Lilongwe resident, Janet Malamula, echoed this disappointment.

She said the MPs failed to address the issues most affecting their lives.

“Since 2019, our lives have worsened, and they haven’t focused on the economic issues that directly impact us,” she said.

Through a question we put forward to Malawians through our Facebook page, Times360, many Malawians expressed dissatisfaction with the way the lawmakers have performed in Parliament and in their constituencies.

Some also blamed the opposition for being one of the weakest in history.

Legislative output

Regarding business in the House, a key aspect of the Parliament’s work has been its legislative output.

Over the past six years, the MPs have deliberated and passed a number of bills.

Notably, in 2022, Parliament repealed the controversial sedition offences through the Protected Flag, Emblems and Names (