CSOs want 2014 candidates to sign social contracts

Civil society organisations (CSOs) in Malawi want 2014 Tripartite Elections aspirants and the electorate to sign social contracts on what the aspirants plan to implement if voted into power.

Diocesan secretary for the Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP) in Mzuzu Diocese Alnord Msimuko told Malawi News Agency that the exercise is one way of holding leaders accountable.

“The exercise would also help the citizenry to go to the polls based on sustained national development agenda.

“Malawians are so frustrated that even though they exercise their right to vote, they feel their developmental aspirations are never realised. The exercise is expected to reverse the trend of politicising development, which led to inequitable distribution of development [projects in the country],” Msimuko said.

Meanwhile, CCJP has embarked on a capacity-building project in local governance structures towards the 2014 polls targeting Nkhata Bay, Dowa and Phalombe.

Malawi will on May 20 2014 conduct tripartite elections for the first time to elect President, members of Parliament and councillors.