MISA Chairperson Anthony Kasunda giving a speech.

This added to the fact that the elections will be the first tripartite elections where Malawians will be able to vote for Presidential candidates, Parliamentary and local councillors. The Chairperson of Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA), Anthony Kasunda “The May 2014 elections are particularly unique, as they come at a time of years of Independence”

For all three debates, the moderator, Reverend Patrick Semphere asked questions and the candidates would each get a chance to respond with their take on that particular question. The questions that were asked covered an array of topics. Some of the topics included, health care in the country and how the candidates would improve it. The economy which centred on self-sufficiency and taming donor aid. The section 65 and how the candidates if elected will deal with elected officials moving to other parties.  The last topic that was asked was taxes, where one of the candidates alluded the cancelling of taxes to all the people who get less than 100 thousand kwacha per month.

The candidates at the third and final debate at Hotel Victoria, Blantyre

The debate initially planned on accommodating 12 candidates, unfortunately some candidates did not make it to all three. Four of the candidates did not make it to the first presidential debate, but for the last two 11 candidates attended the debate leaving one candidate who was absent for all three debates. The absence of this candidate did not hinder or alter the progress of the debate. This still gave the people of Malawi a new view on the candidates and their policies.

Another key point to what made the debate a success was that the organizers were able to invite various media houses as a way to reach out to the nation on various platforms. It was aired on both television and radio. It gave the candidates a platform to reach people who do not get a chance to attend campaign rallies.

The debate is a definite win for a democratic and better Malawi which this year (2014) turns 50 years since independence.  The debate reflects how far Malawi has come since 1964. It is a development that should surely continue in later elections as it helps candidates market themselves, provide voters a chance to compare the candidates side by side, and help promote political tolerance among different candidates despite their differences. Come 2019, the debates will surely be more engaging and interactive for the candidates.

@anthonykasunda “These elections are unique they come at a time of 50 years of Independence”

— Malawi Election Info (@MEIC_2014) May 6, 2014

Reporting by: Christine Malata

Presidential Debates 2014

For Immediate release, 24 April, 2014

The multi-stakeholder Taskforce on Malawi Presidential Debates, chaired by the National Media Institute of Southern Africa (NAMISA), will hold a second Presidential Debate on Tuesday, April 29, 2014. The debate will take place at the Bingu International Conference Centre, (BICC), from 6:00 to 9:00 pm and broadcast live on radio, television and internet.

The debate will be limited to political parties fielding parliamentary candidates in not less than 10 percent of the total 193 constituencies. The same criteria will be used for the third debate scheduled for Victoria Hotel in Blantyre on May 6.

Most of the candidates have confirmed participation.

The debate will combine Chichewa and English and will be restricted to invited guests only and moderated by a well-respected, knowledgeable Malawian with a neutral stand and very conversant with Malawian politics.

The debates have been organised to inspire issues based elections and enable candidates to market their ideas and policies to the electorate.  In addition, the debates aim to (1) motivate candidates to focus on real policy issues, and articulate their position on matters that are important to Malawians, thereby providing a basis for holding the winning candidate accountable after the elections; (2) provide voters with a rare opportunity to compare presidential contenders side by side; (3) help to promote political tolerance among candidates  and (4) provide an opportunity for political rivals to show that despite their differences they can treat each other with mutual respect even when they disagree on issues which would in turn promote political coexistence before and after the elections.

Funding for the debates has been provided by the Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa (OSISA) with the National Democratic Institute providing technical assistance made possible by support from UKAID.

####

The debates taskforce was formed in July in response to interests by respective organizations to host presidential debates. Members include Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC), Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP), National Initiative For Civic Education (NICE), National Democratic Institute (NDI), Malawi Electoral Support Network (MESN),  Mtendere Support Network (MESN), Centre for Multiparty Democracy (CMD), Public Affairs Committee (PAC), Zodiak Broadcasting Station (ZBS), Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC), Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy (NIMD), NGO-Gender Coordination Network (NGO-GCN), The National Media Institute of Southern Africa (NAMISA) and Young Politicians Union of Malawi (YPU).

For more information contact:

Anthony Kasunda

Chairperson

Presidential Debates Taskforce

Email: akasunda2008@gmail.com

Cell: 0999952457

United they stand: The eight presidential candidates. Courtesy of Nation Publication Limited

8 PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES SHOW UP FOR DEBATE

Hello Lilongwe, get ready as we are about to cover the Presidential Debate. #MalawiVote2014

— Malawi Election Info (@MEIC_2014) April 22, 2014

@anthonykasunda, MISA-Malawi Chairperson now giving the opening remarks. "This is a historic day in #Malawi". #MalawiVote2014

— Malawi Election Info (@MEIC_2014) April 22, 2014

@anthonykasunda thanks @OSISA for their role in tonight's Presidential Debate. #MalawiVote2014

— Malawi Election Info (@MEIC_2014) April 22, 2014

In a first for Malawi, voter verification now available on mobile and web

BLANTYRE – 21 April, 2014:

In a historical and electoral first for Malawi, prospective voters in the country are now able to verify their voter registration status using mobile phones. A web platform has also been created for the same purpose.

Registered voters in the upcoming Tripartite elections scheduled for 20 May, 2014 can now send a FREE short–‐message–‐service (SMS) to a designated short–‐ code and instantly receive details of where they are registered to vote.

The Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) in conjunction with the Malawi Election Information Centre (MEIC) is rolling out this service, with technical assistance coming from SMAG Media UK, Ltd. and Code For Africa.

For More details CLICK HERE.

Presidential Debates 2014

For Immediate release, 17 April, 2014

The multi-stakeholder Taskforce on Malawi Presidential Debates, chaired by the National Media Institute of Southern Africa (NAMISA), will hold a Presidential Debate for all 12 aspiring presidential candidates on Tuesday, April 22, 2014. The debate will take place at the Bingu International Conference Centre, (BICC), from 6:00 to 9:00 pm and broadcast live on radio, television and internet.

Second and third presidential debates are also scheduled for April 29 and May 6 in Lilongwe and Blantyre respectively, and will include those political parties fielding parliamentary candidates in 10 percent of constituencies across the country.

The Taskforce has received confirmation from most political parties that their candidates will participate and is finalizing the engagement process in readiness for the April 22 debate to have representation of all candidates.

Among other key decisions, all the debates will combine Chichewa and English and will be restricted to invited guests only and moderated by a well-respected, knowledgeable Malawian with a neutral stand and very conversant with Malawian politics. The Taskforce has been endorsed by the Malawi Electoral Commission.

The debates have been organised to inspire issues based elections and enable candidates to market their ideas and policies to the electorate.  In addition, the debates aim to (1) motivate candidates to focus on real policy issues, and articulate their position on matters that are important to Malawians, thereby providing a basis for holding the winning candidate accountable after the elections; (2) provide voters with a rare opportunity to compare presidential contenders side by side; (3) help to promote political tolerance among candidates  and (4) provide an opportunity for political rivals to show that despite their differences they can treat each other with mutual respect even when they disagree on issues which would in turn promote political coexistence before and after the elections.

Funding for the debates has been provided by the Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa (OSISA) with the National Democratic Institute providing technical assistance made possible by support from UKAID.

####

The debates taskforce was formed in July in response to interests by respective organizations to host presidential debates. Members include Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC), Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP), National Initiative For Civic Education (NICE), National Democratic Institute (NDI), Malawi Electoral Support Network (MESN),  Mtendere Support Network (MESN), Centre for Multiparty Democracy (CMD), Public Affairs Committee (PAC), Zodiak Broadcasting Station (ZBS), Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC), Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy (NIMD), NGO-Gender Coordination Network (NGO-GCN), The National Media Institute of Southern Africa (NAMISA) and Young Politicians Union of Malawi (YPU).

For more information contact:

Anthony Kasunda

Chairperson

Presidential Debates Taskforce

Email: akasunda2008@gmail.com

Cell: 0999952457

This second phase will cover Mulanje, Machinga, Mangochi, Balaka,
Salima NKhotakota, and all districts in the Northern Region. Centres
will be opening from 8AM to 4PM including lunch hour.

For more details CLICK HERE.

Role play: trainers demonstrate election day vote counting, monitoring and observation.

THE Malawi Election Information Centre (MEIC) has kick-started a series of Training of Trainers (ToTs) with a session in Blantyre, the country’s commercial capital. At least 56 ToTs are expected to be trained across Malawi’s three regions: Southern, Central and Northern.

The primary objective of the training is to equip selected individuals with multiple skills that enable trainees to further train and impart the same skills to independent election observers.

Officially opening the one-day training at Hotel Victoria on Wednesday, 9 April, SMAG Media Director, Sando Johnson, said the work carried out by observers was of fundamental importance to the successful running of the Election Situation Room (ESR) in Malawi.

SMAG Media Director Sando Johnson at the ToT

“You’re all a very important part of this project. We are relying on you. The work that you is very significant and will ensure that we run a very successful project together,” Johnson said.

The twenty-three trainers who gathered for the meeting were drawn from various stakeholder organisations which are part of the ESR project. They also come from diverse backgrounds and have extensive knowledge of electoral processes in Malawi and other countries.

Central to the training were issues such as the ESR structure and intended mode of operation, specific roles of trainers and the Malawi Electoral Commission’s (MEC) Code of Conduct for Observers.

In his presentation, MEC’s Senior Electoral Services Officer for Legal & Administration, King Rudi made the recognition that elections were extremely difficult and complex processes to conduct but insisted they remained a key feature of democracy.

Rudi also pointed out that elections observation, despite being an expensive activity, is critical and whose undertaking ought not to be compromised.

King Rudi as he addresses the trainers on Code of Conduct for the Observers

“Observing elections is very expensive. As MEC, we are telling our Presiding Officers that Observers are not enemies. But it’s [also] important for Observers to make themselves known [to Presiding Officers]. Therefore, I urge Observers to respect the laws of Malawi.”

Speaking at the end of the training, Dumase Zgambo-Mapemba, MEIC Project Manager: Training and Media said the training had run smoothly and had delivered on key learning outcomes.

Dumase Zgambo-Mapemba (standing, right), MEIC Project Manager: Training and Media conducting the training.

“It was a great experience, an experience that went beyond our initial expectations. The trainees were always alert and quickly grasped critical concepts such as the use of the SMS platform we have set up for them,” said Zgambo-Mapemba.

She added: “We pray and hope that they will deliver, and pass on the knowledge to the observers. We have faith in them so we expect success.”

Instrumental to the training was the use of an observer checklist, detailing specific incidents on Election Day. Observers will then code these incidents into an encrypted SMS and send to the MEIC Data Centre where messages will be processed and analysed in real-time.

SMAG Media Programme Manager, Gertrude Pourrier, praised participants for their effort on the day.

“We started off slowly, but the trainers caught on in the middle. I believe the training was successful because the objectives of the training were fulfilled. To top it off, all the trainers were able to learn the Checklist which is the backbone of the training,” she said.

Added Pourreir: “The trainers got to practice the Checklist alone and grasped the concept and they demonstrated the skill to transfer knowledge to the Observers.”

The training expectation is that participants will be fully aware of their roles and responsibilities, including their lines of communications within the MEIC and ESR by extension.  They will also be familiar with the different stages of Data Processing Cycle, and the importance of their role in transmitting information.

Following the training in Blantyre, Lilongwe (Central Region) and Mzuzu (Nothern Region) are up next on 14^th and 16^th April respectively.

- Reporting by Christine Malata and Levi Kabwato 

For more details CLICK HERE

MEC Chief Elections Officer, Willie Kalonga, launching the Election Situation Room. – MEIC

The ESR is being run in Malawi for the very first time and is targeting the tripartite elections scheduled for 20 May. Countries that have previously run an ESR include Nigeria, Kenya, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Tanzania, among others.

The primary aim of MEIC is to use multi-stakeholder collaboration as a way of enhancing the holding of free, fair and credible elections in Malawi. This means that the ESR will provide a platform where Civil Society Organisations come together to positively contribute on elections observations, monitoring rapid response and proactive advocacy.

“In our view, this form of collaboration makes efficient use of resources and greatly enhances electoral stakeholders’ capabilities to ensure an open and transparent process that inspires the confidence of all Malawians,” said Steve Duwa, MESN Chairperson ahead of the project launch.

MEIC will be deploying an integrated cutting-edge technology from SMAG Media UK Ltd., GoToVote & Ushahidi that will enable Malawians to:

1. Verify their voter registration status using mobile phones

2. Send multiple reports from communities via SMS and social media channels (citizen journalism);

3. Source verified and credible information in other parts of Malawi before, during and after elections
   

   SMAG Media’s Rachel Sibande explains the tools being deployed for elections observation.

4. Benefit from the trained observers deployed across Malawi who supply real time updates from polling streams and;

5. Access UNOFFICIAL results data sourced from accredited Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) polling streams.

“MESN takes great pride in presiding over this convergence of fundamental democratic processes with technological innovation. That this is happening in our 50^th year of Independence tells of the remarkable strides Malawi has taken over this number of years,” Duwa also said.

MESN Chairperson, Steve Duwa, gives his remarks at the MEIC launch.

He added: “More importantly, the Election Situation Room initiative points to a future in which technology empowers citizens to become actively engaged throughout the electoral cycle, exercising their rights by participating in the on-going democratic processes of their country across multiple platforms. As MESN, through the Malawi Election Information Centre, we are pleased to bring this future to Malawians for the very first time in the upcoming May 20 tripartite elections.”

Speaking at the launch event, the Malawi Electoral Commission’s (MEC) Chief Elections Officer, Willie Kalonga said his institution backed MEIC.

“We are supportive of MEIC,” Kalonga said, going on to make a toast to the success of the project.

Different stakeholders, amongst them representatives of government, civil society, political parties, diplomatic corps, media and citizens attended the launch event.

Part of the audience that attended the MEIC launch at Protea Ryalls Hotel.

Reporting by Levi Kabwato and Christine Malata