‘Most Malawians ignorant on MPs, councillors’ roles’
National Initiative for Civic Education (Nice) Public Trust has said the majority of Malawians are ignorant about the roles and responsibilities of elected leaders.
The organisation has since engaged Members of Parliament (MPs) and councillors in a working relationship that aims to create awareness and civic education on the roles and responsibilities of elected leaders.
Mchinji Nice District Civic Education Officer, Paul Kanyenda, said this on Thursday, adding that most Malawians think responsibilities of MPs are to make donations at weddings, pay school fees for the needy as well as assist in time of bereavement.
Kanyenga further observed that some elected leaders deliberately mislead the people on their roles and responsibilities by giving handouts to win voters’ hearts.
“Nice feels MPs and councillors are key to dispelling the misconception that it is the role and responsibility of MPs and councillors to buy coffins, pay fees for needy children and make donations during weddings. We need to create awareness on the distinct responsibilities of a president, MPs and ward councillors ahead of the 2019 Tripartite Elections,” he said.
Kanyenda said Nice believes it is possible to have a campaign where shadow MPs and councillors are not pressed to give handouts.
Mchinji North East MP, Alex Chitete, thanked Nice for proposing to work with them on creating awareness on the roles and responsibilities of elected leaders.
Chitete said the proposal had come at the right time when the hype over the pre-2019 Tripartite Elections is growing.
A vibrant writer who gives a great insight on hot topics and issues
