AN ASSESSMENT OF THE REPRESENTATIONAL ROLE OF COUNCILLORS IN MALAWI’S LOCAL GOVERNMENT COUNCILS

Abstract

The study sought to analyse the representational role of councillors in local government councils. It was conducted in Lilongwe City Council, Mzuzu City Councils, Nkhata bay District Council and Rumphi District Council. It employed a qualitative approach through interviewing councillors, MPs, traditional leaders, representatives of interest groups and council secretariat. The study established that citizens accept councillors as their local representatives because they are the ones found on the ground in communities. In addition, MPs are viewed as national level representatives who depend on collecting information from councillors which they use in performing their national duties. The findings further reveal that councillors are more trusted and responsive to local needs than parliamentarian. The study also established that people contest as councillors even when the position is not rewarding in order to build momentum for a future political career as parliamentarians. Therefore, the study concludes that the representational role of councillors in valued more than that of MPs in local government councils.