Nice to lead political debates in Karonga

The National Initiative for Civic Education (Nice) Trust says it will conduct political debates for candidates in the local government by-elections in Karonga District.

The Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) will administer the by-elections in Chilanga and Rukuru wards in Karonga North West Constituency and Kaporo Ward in Karonga North Constituency on March 26.

The wards fell vacant in September last year after their respective councillors were convicted for fraudulently receiving K2.4 million from vendors in exchange for plots.

Speaking on Saturday during voter mobilisation activities at Ngerenge in the district, Nice district civic education officer for Karonga and Chitipa Mavuto Mkandawire said just as any other elections, the by-elections are another opportunity for the electorate to exercise their right to vote and elect leaders of their choice.

He said: “We will conduct debates so that people in the three wards have an opportunity to engage the candidates directly to make informed choices. We want them to vote based on issues and not personalities or other factors.

“The debates are an opportunity for us to show the electorate that they are important stakeholders in the elections, and in so doing, they will see the importance of turning out in large numbers to vote.”

Mkandawire said they have intensified voter mobilisation activities to ensure a high turnout in next Tuesday’s elections that have attracted 21 candidates.

Karonga district elections officer Elias Nyirenda said MEC is also mobilising people to turn out in large numbers on the voting day.

He said: “We have been engaging traditional and religious leaders looking at their important roles to ensure a peaceful electoral process.

“We have been conducting civic education activities focusing on the actual voting process and electoral offenses.”