Mzuzu Civil Society Network (MCISON) has commended presidential running mates who are taking part in various debates organized with the aim of unveiling their plans for this country once voted into power.

MCISON chairperson Pastor Moffat Phiri said it is good that some running mates are fulfilling democratic values by standing on the podium to tell Malawians about their manifestos.

Phiri however expressed his disappointment in some political gurus who have decided to shun the debates saying Malawians will certainly vote for leaders who are able to articulate issues in such discussions.

“It is important to have such debates because people now are able to see who they should vote for, so in short I will say it is a good initiative if you look at other countries such as United States they all have such debates.

“We as CSOs are just concerned that some political parties are not taking part in these debates because this means they are failing to portray their right image and at the same time it shows that as a leader you have not reached a level of maturity that is required by a democratic society,” Phiri said.

Reacting on the issue Mzuzu University based political commentator Chrispin Mphande said failure to participate in such debates is a missed opportunity.

He said through debates people are able to provide feedback unlike during rallies where most people who attend are party loyalists and hand clappers.

“The debate is a good idea because running mates are presidents in waiting in the event of death or incapacitation failure by Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) is a missed opportunity.

“Through Debates people are able to provide varied Feedback, rallies are not a good channel as they are mostly patronized by party loyalists and hand clappers,” Mphande said.