Malawi Congress Party (MCP) candidate in Lilongwe Chilobwe Constituency, Lawrence Chakakala Chaziya, has become the first Malawian to make it to Parliament with no vote cast. Our Staff Writer JAMES CHAVULA caught up with the MP who won the coveted seat unopposed over a month before the polling day on September 16. Excerpts:
Q:Congratulations for emerging as the country‘s first MP to win the enviable seat over a month before the polling day. How did you receive the news from the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC)?
A: I received the official statement via an email. I was very happy that I had won unopposed and I offered a thanksgiving prayer to God. This could not have happened without His hand at work. I also went to my constituency to thank the people because they are the ones who gave me that seat. Their trust in me is what made it possible for me to go through unopposed, so I was truly happy on that day.
Q: What should the people of your constituency expect from you, as their representative in the cohort of MPs to be elected on September 16?
A: The people of Lilongwe Chilobwe Constituency should expect a lot more from me. Over the years, I have already delivered many tangible developments, including building health posts, schools, nursery schools, drilling boreholes and supporting students by paying their school fees. I intend to continue on this path by constructing teachers’ houses, building boarding facilities for girls in secondary schools, and introducing soft loans for women and youth.
Q: How did you achieve this feat knowing that every election is a game of numbers and every constituency has been flooded with candidates canvassing for votes since 2020?
A: Indeed, some began their campaign as early as 2020, but still failed to win unopposed. For me, what I can say is that maintaining a good relationship with people is very important for us politicians. From long ago, I have always lived in harmony with the people of Chilobwe constituency and I have carried out various development projects which made it possible for me to win unopposed. The people in my constituency have great trust in me and my party, MCP, under the leadership of His Excellency Dr Lazarus Chakwera. Since 2020, I have consistently supported my people and they know I am the one who can adequately respond to their challenges. That is why we have achieved this historic victory—winning the elections before the polling day itself. This is no small achievement.
Q: What challenges are you likely to face as the only MP elected without any competition in the House to be filled by parliamentarians that will be chosen at the ballot on September 16?
A: I believe I will not face major challenges because I have set an example that others will want to follow. I am confident some fellow MPs will even seek my advice on how I secured this success. I know MCP will continue supporting me because of the record of developments I have delivered.
Q: Obviously, your pre-election victory is a huge saving on campaign funds. How are you going to use the money that you planned to spend on the campaign trail?
A: Going forward, I will not only continue to work for my constituency, but also to drum up support for President Chakwera nationwide. I plan to travel to other districts such as Ntchisi, Kasungu, Dowa, Zomba, Machinga and many more to urge people to vote for the MCP leader so that the country continues to experience development. I will also continue supporting my fellow MCP candidates, just as I recently stood with honourable Kambauwa Wirima in her constituency and today with my brother, the Minister of Finance, at the launch of his manifesto.
So far, I have also supported other candidates in their constituencies, including Chikondi Chisale and Wisdom Chimgwede in Kasungu, Abel Kayembe in Dowa Ndolera Constituency, Zebron Chilondora in Dedza and Anthony Masamba in Mchinji. I will, therefore, continue to support my fellow MCP candidates throughout this campaign.
Q: Why should the people of your constituency trust you as their elected representative?
A: The people of Lilongwe Chilobwe Constituency should continue trusting me because I know their challenges and I have already demonstrated how I can address them. I am the right person to represent them, and I am committed to transforming this constituency for the better.
Q: What are your final words as Malawians count down to the tripartite election to be held on September 16?
A: I want to state here that it is my strong belief that all the 58 000 registered voters in my area will vote for the MCP and President Chakwera in next month‘s election.
I am also pleased that Gideon Masache, MCP councillor for Nyang’amire Ward under my constituency, Chilobwe Constituency, has also gone unopposed. Together with this councillor, we will continue working hand in hand to carry forward the development projects that we had already started in the area.
Our constituency has 58 000 registered voters, making it the largest in the country in terms of voter numbers. Out of this, Nyang’amire Ward alone has 25 000 registered voters. This is a strong base that will also benefit our President, Dr. Lazarus Chakwera, as we head towards the next elections.
