SALIMA-(MaraviPost)-Maganga Citizen Forum in the lake shore district of Salima has petitioned the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) to disintegrate Salima Central Constituency into two parts due to unfair distribution of social services.
In a letter addressed to MEC and Salima District Commissioner, the grouping is demanding the split of the constituency into two namely Salima Central East and Salima Central West constituencies.
The grouping said if the constituency was to be divided there will be easy access to various social services currently under pressure due to overpopulation.
In an exclusive interview with The Maravi Post on Sunday, Haroon Chapola, the Forum’s Chairperson expressed sadness over MEC’s delays to respond to their calls as about four months have elapsed after the petition was submitted.
Chapola said access to resources through Local Development Fund (LDF), Community Development (CDF) and District Development Funds (DDF) is not benefitting the community as many scramble for the little given.
“Salima Central Constituency which has over 101,000 voters serves three TAs Kulunda, Kalonga and Maganga. A Ward councilor carries two chiefs; Kulunda and Maganga while Kalonga has its own. This means that in these two TAs aren’t represented well at district council.
“The splitting of the constituency into two will assist community’s direct access to resources. This will also help parliamentary candidates to reach other parts of the area during campaigns whereas voters are expected to make good choices of their leaders than the current scenario where wrong people are put in positions.
“We petitioned MEC and Salima District Commission Offices to act on our demands but over four months have elapsed without any response from both offices. However, let me assure you will fight to the end until our demands are met because our rights to social services access are being violated,” challenged Chapola.
In responding to the community’s demand for the constituency split, the main opposition Malawi Congress Party (MCP)’s Member of Parliament (MP) for the area, Felix Jumbe declined such calls saying the nation cannot afford to have additional constituencies with Malawi’s low General Domestic Product (GDP).
MP Jumbe said instead the nation requires a few lawmakers (about 100) in order to reduce expenses government spends on their payments during and after Parliamentary proceedings.
He therefore suggested an addition of a ward councilor for Maganga to serve the communities better unlike splitting constituency into two.
MEC spokesperson Sangwani Mwafulirwa acknowledged the receipt of the petition saying the request will be addressed when the demarcation process commences.
Mwafulirwa hinted that the Commission is not supposed to demarcate constituencies for fair distribution of resources or social services but ensuring that constituencies contain approximately equal numbers of voters eligible to register, subject only to considerations.
“Be informed that the Commission will undertake a conclusive demarcation exercise later this year and this will address all issues.
“But be informed the Constitution (section 76) guides the Commission in demarcation as follows:(2) The duties and functions of the Electoral Commission shall include- (a) to determine constituency boundaries impartially on the basis of ensuring that constituencies contain approximately equal numbers of voters eligible to register, subject only to consideration of- (i) population density;(ii) ease of communication; and (iii) geographical features and existing administrative areas,” said Mwafulirwa.