By Robert Kumwenda

National Democratic Institute (NDI) has been commended for drilling shadow Members of Parliament and ward councilors for opposition Umodzi Party (UP) on how to conduct electoral debates as the country draw closer to May tripartite elections.

Director for Publicity for the party Sadana Tamanda Bakili said as the party they are happy because NDI  has included UP in the presidential debate scheduled to take place at Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) on 29 March in Lilongwe.

“This is good development because other people sidelined us in the presidential running mates debates yet everyone has the right to be heard,” she said.

Bakili said the choice is up to Malawians, this time around each presidential candidate will be given opportunity to articulate how he or she is going to address challenges that Malawians are going through.

NDI and partner organizations are helping Malawians to identify and prioritize local service delivery needs, understand formal and informal political processes that impact how developmental and service delivery projects are allocated, engage with and evaluate candidate positions on campaign promises in the context of local priorities.