National News

KA constituency disputes affect development

 

People of group village head (GVH) Mwangolera, whose area lies between Karonga Central and Karonga North-West constituencies in Traditional Authority (T/A) Kyungu claim to have no access to social development.

Communities from Msadala, Kasote and Japhet villages say they are denied access to public funds such as Constituency Development Fund (CDF) as they are not represented at  Mbande Area Development Committee (ADC) which is in Karonga North-West Constituency.

Their GVH, however, reports to Lupembe ADC, which is under Karonga Central Constituency.

Kasote: My subjects feel sidelines
Kasote: My subjects feel sidelines

Meanwhile, the villagers have appealed to Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) to conduct a clear demarcation between the two constituencies to solve the situation.

Speaking during a meeting organised by the National Initiative for Civic Education (Nice) on Tuesday, GVH Kasote said her subjects feel sidelined as they are not receiving any development from either of the two constituencies.

“We have engaged MEC chairperson to conduct a clear demarcation exercise, but we are surprised to see that the commission is quiet on the matter,” said Kasote.

Nice district civic education officer for Karonga, Christobel Shaba, said apart from GVH Mwangolera, the district has two other areas in Senior Chief Wasambo and T/A Kilupula whose people are facing a similar problem.

In a telephone interview, MEC spokesperson Sangwani Mwafulirwa said the commission is ready for the national demarcation exercise that will also see new constituencies established.

“We are going to conduct a nationwide demarcation exercise soon, where all stakeholders, including the general public will be involved,” he said.

In the May 20 2014 Tripartite Elections, people from GVH Mwangolera were divided as some opted to vote for Karonga Central  member of Parliament (MP) while others opted for Karonga North-West Constituency. n

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