Mchinji West MP sworn in
Newly-elected Mchinji West member of Parliament (MP) Jephter Fackson Mwale was sworn in yesterday following his victory in the November 1 by-election.
The swearing-in ceremony, which was conducted by Chief Justice Andrew Nyirenda, took place in Parliament chambers in Lilongwe and was witnessed by Malawi Congress Party (MCP) legislators led by party president Lazarus Chakwera, who is also leader of opposition in Parliament.
In his remarks, Nyirenda advised the new MP to live up to the promises he made to his constituents during campaign.
“You must have fought a tough battle and you fought it well. I believe that you must have left promises and it is in those promises that your community will find solace.
“It is in Parliament that our democracy is put to a test. You must be very proud that you are joining the ranks of those that are going to contribute to the welfare of the people,” he said.
Soon after Mwale took the oath of office, MCP parliamentarians started singing political songs, praising their president.
The songs suggested that Chakwera is the next country’s President and that the party following takes him as such.
In his address to MCP supporters outside Parliament, Chakwera said by winning the by-election, democracy had won.
He said: “The dog that barks all the time does not bite. Others barked a lot in Mchinji West but they have not won. Democracy has won in Mchinji. This means that the death of Honourable Kanjira Banda [was not] in vain. May his death be a sacrifice to help propel Malawi forward.”
