Communities want ward, constituency demarcation

Community leaders from Chilanga Ward in Karonga North West Constituency have asked Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) to conclude the redemarcation exercise quickly.

Mwakasangira Village Development Committee (VDC) chairperson Daniel Mwambatula said this on Sunday when MEC engaged traditional leaders, area development committees (ADC) and VDCs on the March 30 by-election in the area.

He said Kilipula ADC in Chilanga Ward has about 37 villages that are in both Karonga North and Karonga North West, but are sidelined as legislators from the two constituencies fail to reach a consensus on whose jurisdiction the area lies.

“We want to know when MEC will conduct the constituency and ward redemarcation exercise because the area is lagging behind in terms of social amenities,” said Mwambatula.

Senior Chief Kilipula said he expected MEC to do the exercise quickly.

“I am the only traditional leader with three wards, namely Chilanga, Songwe and Kaporo and two constituencies,” he said.

In response, MEC commissioner Anthony Mukumbwa said MEC is holding consultative meetings with various stakeholders to see how best to do the exercise.

“However, first things first; we are conducting awareness campaigns to woo more people to register and vote in the forthcoming by-election,” he said.