Mchinji NGO wants transparency on youth parliamentarian’s selection

Community Initiative for Social Empowerment (CISE) Malawi has called for transparency on the selection of Youth Parliamentarians in the district.

Operations Manager for the Organization, Davis Damson said in an interview on Monday that for a long time the youth in Mchinji have been complaining on how elections of youth parliamentarians are conducted.

He said the organization has been receiving complaints that many youth who have been previously picked to represent the six constituencies in Mchinji are those that do not reside in the district as a result they fail to voice real views and concerns on critical issues affecting youths in the district.

“As CISE Malawi, we believe we can improve on this so that we achieve the aim of youth parliament. If those responsible on selection process at district level fail to be transparent with the process, we are going to get an injunction.

“What we know is Youth Parliament of Malawi, among other things, is aimed at giving the youths a platform to voice their views and concerns on critical issues affecting their lives with the assurance that government and concerned organizations would take appropriate measures to address the situation,” Damson added.

Mchinji District Youth Officer (DYO) who is also responsible in youth parliamentarian selection process, Mauding Nhlema said the selection process was strictly on merit and that the process was conducted through relevant district council structures.

“Actually, we advertise in all Area Development Committees (ADCs) in all Traditional Authorities (TAs) in the district. There are questionnaires that the applicants fill followed by oral interviews. So the process is done in a transparent way,” he said.

Recently, Malawi Parliament through the Principal Public Relations Officer, Ian Mwenye issued a statement saying preparations for this year’s Youth Parliament starts this April, 2021.