Residents of Kauma in Lilongwe City Centre Constituency have dared parliamentary aspirants to outline feasible plans they will carry out with their councillors to improve social services in the area.
The voters expressed their sentiments on Wednesday during a debate that National Initiative for Civic Education (Nice) Trust organised.
There are seven candidates, namely Peter Mukhito of Democratic Progressive Party, Gift Nankhuni of Malawi Congress Party, Grace Nazitwere of Odya Zake Alibe Mlandu, Aaron Mwale of People’s Party, Mable Tchongwe representing Alliance for Democracy, Stella Warren of UTM Party and Anthony Chekani of People’s Development Party.
Despite being in the city, Kauma grapples with challenges common in rural areas such as poor roads, hunger and water shortages.
Andrew Chinomba, a voter, asked aspirants if they will remain in the community when they win.
In response, Mukhito assured residents that he will not abandon them.
“I am within reach at Area 43, so there is nothing like disappearing after winning,” he said.
Another voter Jessie Ngunga asked candidates if they will abandon projects initiated during campaign.
In response, Nazitwere, who is also Micheal Usi’s running mate, said she installed boreholes before the 2019 Tripartite Elections and did not tamper with them after losing.
Nice invited all the candidates, but Nankhuni and Tchongwe did not avail themselves.
Nice Trust Lilongwe district civic education officer Hajira Ali said she was satisfied with the quality of the debate.
“We have had no cases of violence during all debates we have conducted so far,” she said.
