By Daniel Zimba:
The Center for Multiparty Democracy (CMD) has urged individuals representing aspiring candidates as monitors during the September 16 elections to stay vigilant and closely observe all electoral activities at their respective polling centres.
CMD Programmes Manager Dalitso Magelegele said monitors play a crucial role in ensuring a fair and transparent election and that they must be equipped with the necessary knowledge before polling day.
Magelegele made the remarks in Blantyre during a training session for at least 70 monitors from six political parties that had representation in the recently dissolved Parliament.
These are United Democratic Front, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), Malawi Congress Party (MCP), Alliance for Democracy, UTM and Peoples Party (PP).
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The training covered monitors from Zomba, Chiradzulu and Thyolo districts.
“Election monitoring is vital because it builds confidence, credibility and legitimacy in the process, as political parties feel represented throughout by their monitors.
“That is why we train and remind them how to conduct themselves during voting to prevent irregularities,” Magelegele said.
He added that some party monitors in the 2019 Presidential election were not sufficiently observant, contributing to irregularities that necessitated the 2020 rerun.
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During the training, Magelegele also covered monitors’ human rights, responsibilities and roles at polling centres, including how to handle complaints during voting.
He said this knowledge would help avoid errors like those that led to the 2019 rerun.
Morgan Chirombo, MCP Director of Elections for Chiradzulu District and a prospective monitor, praised the training, endorsing Magelegele’s comments on the importance of monitors in safeguarding the election.
“In any activity, especially general elections where we choose the next government, it is essential to follow procedures and handle everything carefully,” Chirombo said.
He also commended the Malawi Electoral Commission for enhancing transparency with frequent updates throughout the electoral process.
DPP candidate Thula Jere from Zomba District said the training had strengthened her commitment to ensuring fair voting for her party.
“We have learned and now understand our roles as monitors. When we begin work on 16 September, we will perform accordingly,” Jere said.
