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Malawi’s young democracy was once again put to test on Wednesday in Ndirande when people in Blantyre City Central opted for their member of Parliament Gift Mwamondwe to remain independent other than joining the ruling United Democratic Front for the next five years.
There was chanting, jubilating and ulalating by scores of people who waited patiently for the out come of the poll when it was announced that 56 out of 65 people who cast their vote wanted their MP to remain independent.
Voters were area chairmen of various political parties.
Political scientist Nixon Khembo said the results of the poll show that the UDF remain unpopular in some pockets of the country and that people should be consulted if MPs are going to associate with this party.
“This is a classical example which is telling Malawians that political parties who are forming political alliances with the UDF are doing so without the mandate of the people,” he said
“We are still at a stage where political leaders are still by passing their people in making decisions for political gains.
“If people take this example our democracy would take a long way to be consolidated and entrenched,” Said Khembo.
Apparently, independent member of Parliament for the constituency, Mwamondwe was seeking a mandate of his constituents on whether he should join the United Democratic Front or remain independent.
A visibly relieved Mwamondwe said after the counting of the votes he was happy that the people in the constituency had spoken their mind on the direction he should take in the next five years.
Said he: “ I was, without question voted into the August house on the ticket of independent candidature and I believe that was the stand of the people of Blantyre City Central Constituency. All I was doing now was to double test that original stand to find out whether the constituents wanted me independent or join UDF ”.
He said as an MP he was already in government and that he has enough resources to offer loan facilities to the people in Ndirande as opposed to being bought for monetory rewards.
“We need a situation where the government should be tolerated. I believe that by being voted to Parliament I am in government and that development will be brought into the constituencies regardless of my being independent,” he said.
Republican party area chairman for Safalao, Patrick Mayamaya, said he was happy with an independent candidate because he would not discriminate against anyone in the constituency.
Esnart Tayika, executive member in Mwamondwe’s committee said the constituency chose Mwamondwe as an independent candidate so that people can spot the difference.
Said she: “ We would like to put an end to greed. We do not want to live like refugees in our own country.”
Meanwhile, two independent MPs Anna Kachikho of Phalombe North and Ettinor Kholoviko of Blantyre North declared after the May 20 polls that they had joined the ruling party.
This is the first time in Malawi’s democracy a seating MP has sought views of representatives of his constituents through the ballot on which side of the political divide he should join.
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