National Initiative for Civic Education (Nice) Trust in Nsanje District says it is satisfied with the outcome of the debates it has been conducting in the district, observing that they have achieved their intended goals.
Speaking after wrapping up the exercise on Friday in Nsanje South West Constituency, Nice Trust Nsanje district programme officer Kondwani Malunga said the debates served their purpose.
He said: “We have been organising these debates in various constituencies to give aspiring candidates a platform to unpack their manifestos to the electorate to enable voters make informed choices.
the debate. | Ayamba Kandodo
“Assessing all the areas where we conducted the debates, we are confident that the message gone home.”
Six candidates took part in the debate; namely Alick Mwakulamwatha (Nationalistic Patriotic Party), Maclean Ndafakale (UTM Party), Walter Nyamilandu (Independent), Chester Thete (Independent), Eurita Valeta (Independent) and Madalo Goba Zelo (Malawi Congress Party).
David Ndakoiwa (Democratic Progressive Party) and Francis Renso (Independent) did not participate in the debate.
In an interview, Nyamilandu commended Nice for organising the debates, saying the platform provided an opportunity to interact with voters.
“If elected, I will ensure I fulfil my promises,” he said.
Valeta, on the other hand, said she will introduce empowerment loans to help the youth, women and vulnerable people to start small-scale businesses.
Ndafakale said he will support people with irrigation equipment to boost farming in the constituency.
Thete said he will build access roads in the constituency to ease movement of people and goods.
A registered voter in the constituency, Alufamako Khumbanyiwa, said the debates helped him assess candidates’ manifestos and strengthened his resolve to vote.
“We have heard from our leaders what they will do for us once elected. We are now ready and eager to vote,” he said.
Nice Trust has been holding the debates with funding from the European Union under the Boma Lathu project
