Mr Banda has emerged from the convention in a strong position. Most posts within the party's decision-making body-the National Executive Committee (NEC)-have been filled by his allies. However, this has come at the cost of a decline in intra-party democracy. A number of the president's allies-including the minister of finance and national planning, Situmbeko Musokotwane; the minister of commerce, trade and industry, Felix Mutati; and Mr Mabenga-were elected unopposed to the NEC. This was in contrast to previous conventions, where competition for key posts has been intense, and may well have reflected the fate that has awaited all those who have challenged the president in recent months. In particular, a number of high-profile MMD members-the highly successful former finance minister, Ng'andu Magande; the former defence minister, George Mpombo, and the former minister of works and supply, Mike Mulongoti-have recently been expelled either for questioning the NEC's decision to declare Mr Banda as the party's candidate without a vote (October 2010, The political scene) or contesting key positions (March 2011, The political scene). Indeed, at the convention, Mr Banda called for discipline and unity within the party and warned that all "traitors" would be punished.

Concerns that the MMD would fragment and that policy implementation would suffer as a result (April 2011, The political scene) have been allayed for the moment. However, there is still some risk that defections will occur once the NEC selects candidates for the parliamentary elections, as those who are not selected may leave the MMD to contest the elections as independents.