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Go beyond roadshows, 50:50 campaigners told

Female candidates in Mzimba have expressed worry over the 50:50 Campaign, saying it is more of roadshows than assisting them to reach out to remote areas where the majority of the electorate are found.

Mvula (2nd L) poses for a photograph with other candidates

The aspirants made the observation during the 50:50 Campaign roadshow which the Livingstonia Synod’s Church and Society Programme conducted at the weekend in the district.

Speaking on behalf of  13 female aspirants present, Mzimba Luwerezi parliamentary candidate, Jennipher Mvula (Malawi Congress Party -MCP), said the 50:50 Campaign should broaden outreach programmes rather than focusing on roadshows only.

This, she observed, may affect their performance in the May 21 2019 Tripartite Elections.

“It is good that they have rolled out the campaign in time. However,  we are appealing to the sponsors to involve us in their planning so that we should be able to give our input on places they should visit with campaigns,” she said.

Responding to the issues,  Church and Society 50:50 Campaign project officer Wakisa Nkuna said it would be ideal to reach out to as many areas as possible, however, they are limited by resources.

The programme’s activity budget has an allocation of K17 million with support from Action Aid.

According to Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC), the number of female contestants has increased from 268 in the 2014 Tripartite Elections to 304 this year. n

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