UTM candidate shines during debate for Mangochi West by-election
UTM Party candidate for Mangochi West Constituency in the forthcoming by-elections, Stanley Phiri on Friday took advantage of the debate organized by National Initiative for Civic Education (Nice) Public Trust to outline a number of developments he intends to do in the area once elected.
Nice organized the debate to give candidates space or platform to articulate issues they will do to the voters once voted as MP.
Out of the six candidates contesting in the area, only three candidates availed for the debate and they were: Stanley Phiri (UTM), Gomani Banda (Independent) and Semion Harrison (Independent – but backed by Malawi Congress Party -MCP).
However, during the debate, UTM’s Phiri stole the show as he became the voters’ darling after mentioning the issue of education, local fishers’ market opportunities, introduction of social welfare fund, among others that will turn around the constituency’s misfortunes.
“My contesting here is to face-lift the area. I want to construct more primary and secondary schools to ensure that our girls are going to school without distance barrier. This will address school dropout and arrest early pregnancies as well as child marriages,” he disclosed.
Phiri said the area; due to the availability of the lake has also potential to be the country’s fish breadbasket if fishers are well utilized and prompted.
“Once voted into power, I will rush to find markets for local fishers, ensure observance of fish closing seasons, among others,” he said while also promising to bring piped water to the community, protect forests, and empower people with disabilities with loans, among other transformative initiatives.
However, speaking after the debate, Nice regional civic education officer (Centre) Enock Chinkhuntha said he was satisfied with the debate because it accorded voters an opportunity to “date their candidates”, assess or scrutinize them, saying this will help them to choose for the best candidate.
Nice organized the debate in collaboration with National Democratic Institute (NDI) with funding from European Union (EU.
The other three candidates who shunned the debate were: Geoffrey Chiondo (Democratic Progressive Party-DPP), Joyce Chikumba (Independent), Reuben Kanyama (Independent).
UTM had more chances of winning ku Karonga Central, uku ai uku sangawine….UTM phokoso pa social media koma anthu ake savota ena alikujoni
UTM is synonymous to losing!!! Uyuyunso aluza kuposa Mwinifumbi wa ku Karonga uja! Ka bungwe aka ka UTM kamangodziwa phokoso pa internet plus kulambira mafano!
As long as it translates to votes
DPP candidates tend to live in the past by shying away from the debates. Personally they still see the political terrain through the APM binoculars of failing to utilise every small communication opportunity. We get disturbed when the largest opposition party in parliament doesn’t grasp the dynamics within the electoral system every candidate this time must aim at availing himself to the voters. Our electorate have now shifted from party affiliation to the candidate scrutiny so it be a walk into the park no picnic for attaching oneself to the party. Pray you’re connecting with the voters. Sitifuna kusankha sayankhula… Read more »
you must understand DPP.
what happened to them is like sudden death of a beloved relative. It shocks you and umatha ma plan for sometime. It happened to MCP.
After rigging the votes in 2019, the party had plans up to 2024. Now this is 2020 and they are out of govt and you expect them to think properly?
Thats not fair brother.