By Lewis Msasa
Last week, I had the privilege of supporting a colleague who moderated a training workshop organised by the Democracy Works Foundation (DWF).
This workshop focused on preparing political parties for effective participation in elections. DWF is an African, nonpartisan, non-profit organisation operating in Sadc countries, dedicated to promoting best practices in democracy.
The meeting offered political parties an opportunity to understand the legal framework governing elections and to ensure compliance.
Awareness of the electoral process can help manage conflicts that may arise during polling.
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It is crucial for political parties to receive assistance in planning for the election monitoring cycle, as establishing an effective monitoring mechanism enhances the legitimacy and trust in the electoral process.
Training workshops of this nature are especially necessary as the country gears up for the General Elections scheduled for September 2025.
It was encouraging to see around 30 senior members from six political parties, represented in Parliament, converge to share ideas on conducting issue-based campaigns and embracing narratives that promote peace among Malawians during the electoral process.
Currently, the country appears to be in campaign mode, although the Malawi Electoral Commission (Mec) has yet to announce the official campaign period, which is set to begin on July 14, 2025, according to its electoral calendar.
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The right to participate in government—either directly or through freely chosen representatives—is enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Article 21.1) and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (Article 25).
The election period provides parties and candidates an opportunity to reaffirm their commitment to the electoral contest and demonstrate their alignment with the needs and aspirations of the electorate.
Political parties and candidates are vital for ensuring successful, peaceful and credible elections.
For citizens, elections serve as a moment to observe the commitments and promises being made. They form the foundation of the social contract between political parties and the electorate.
Therefore, it is essential for this democratic exercise to occur in a conducive environment for all stakeholders.
Players in the electoral process must have adequate knowledge, skills and attitudes to engage meaningfully and contribute to free and fair elections, as well as the deepening of democracy.
When political parties understand the electoral process and the roles of strategic stakeholders, they can become constructive participants in these processes.
By deepening their understanding, parties can identify potential challenges and proactively seek solutions.
Better-informed parties are well-positioned to engage with other stakeholders, ensuring a successful electoral process.
The Mec’s guidance on the 17 key milestones outlined in its electoral calendar—such as voter registration, the start of the official campaign and voting—was encouraging.
The presentation also clarified the roles of political parties during the electoral process.
However, despite Mec accrediting 120 civil society organisations to conduct voter education, many are not yet operational, leaving the Mec to handle voter education alone.
This results in a public sphere often dominated by misinformation, which can erode the integrity of the electoral process and the Mec’s reputation.
This highlights the need for organisations like DWF to fill the communication gap and uphold the integrity of the electoral process.
Free, credible and fair elections are achievable only if political parties and citizens are well sensitised, enabling them to make informed choices.
