Young Politicians Union (YPU)

THE YOUNG POLITICIANS UNION

YPU ACTIVE IN POLITICS


		YPU FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS	(back)


		As the Local Government Elections were supposed to be held in 2005, but the Malawi Electoral Commission didn’t conduct them until now, the YPU held three assessments in February 2007 – one in Rumphi for the Northern Region, one in Dedza for the Centre and one in Blantyre for the Southern Region - to push government to hold elections. Rumphi YPU started their assessment on 9th February with a chimbuza dance at the market open ground which was well attended by political party leaders, youth groups, NGOs, Faith Communities, Media and civil servants. They marched from the trading centre to the venue of the debate with placards carrying their message to hold local government elections, which was also covered by the media (see: The Nation, 12 February 2007, “Bring back former councilors – Young Politicians”). The debate with representatives from Rumphi district - Mr. Thema Mkandawire, the Director of Planning of the Rumphi District Assembly, Mr. Vitumbniko Nyirongo, the Commissioner of Rumphi Electoral Office, Mr. O. C. Mkandawire, the Deputy Chairman of the Public Affairs Committee, as well as three representatives from the media and Mr. Peter Chihana who represented Rumphi YPU on the panel, expressed the concern of soon having the long awaited elections as part of the democracy in this country. A similar debate was also organized in Blantyre earlier where different party representatives – Hon. Harry Chiumbe (AFORD), Paul Tengani (UDF), Elliot San (PPM), Harry Litchowa (MCP) as well as YPU members – Aboo Naliwa, Deputy Director and Hawkins Munyenyembe, Public Relations Officer - were present on the panel. The panelists and the audience showed their concern over the delay by the Malawi Electoral Commission and the government to set a date of the polls. They expressed their strong wish and the need to hold elections, as Parliament had already passed approved the budget for it. It was pointed out that the absence of local representatives is denying the public development activities at local level. In the three districts, questionnaires were distributed to find out the people´s view about the delay of the Local Government Elections. The following questions were asked: What is your general opinion about the Local Government Elections? Are they really needed and why or why not? When should the elections be held? What will be done by every individual to ensure that the elections are held on the proposed date? Where are the obstacles and what can be done to overcome them? Recommendations and way forward The analysis of the questionnaires shows that people are looking forward to have the elections to be hold in 2007, latest in November. Generally they stress for the need for the elections, referring to them as the only way to make people represented in developmental decision making in the local assemblies. In addition, the YPU was asked to embark on a programme aimed at lobbying the government as well as parliament to put in place dates for the elections. The people urged the YPU to practically do what other people have failed to do in order to make sure that there are no obstacles in the process of lobbying. They should accomplish the initiative started and work together with the media in order to achieve the goal of having Local Government Elections Looking at the success of the assessments to push Local Government Elections, YPU decided to submit a petition to government through the District Commission. After several attempts to meet the electoral authority, the meeting has not been taken place until now. Presently, the YPU has conducted three radio programmes aiming at sensitizing the communities on the need for the elections and will keep an open eye on the ongoing process of the Local Government Elections.