Mesn takes electoral reforms to the US
Malawi Electoral Support Network (Mesn) chairperson Steven Duwa last week took the country’s proposed electoral reforms to the United States of America (USA) where he presented a paper.
During the Global Network for Domestic Election Monitors (GNDEM) conference in Tbilisi, Georgia, from Monday to Friday last week, Duwa made a presentation on Inter-Election Accountability Issues: Legislative and Non-legislative Electoral Reforms After the 2014 Tripartite Elections in Malawi.
The presentation highlights the work of the national task force on electoral reforms and the consultative manner in which the task force is carrying out its assignments. It also explains how Mesn is working to popularise key findings and recommendations by the Special Law Commission, among others.
In an interview on Wednesday, Duwa said the meeting was critical as it created a platform for experts in elections and governance sectors to analyse challenges, share experiences, lessons and best practices in electoral processes.
He said: “During the conference, we, the delegates, devoted our time to discuss election-related issues, which included solidarity and credibility among citizen election observers, advocacy to promote transparency through open election data throughout the electoral cycle, challenges of disinformation to electoral integrity, among others.”
Duwa said while skepticism remains regarding the timely enactment into law of the key recommendations by the Law Commission, Malawians should draw their inspiration and hope in promises by government through the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs.
Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs Samuel Tembenu told Parliament recently that government would table the proposed legislation during the November 2017 meeting of the National Assembly.
GNDEM has regional network members in Africa, Asia, Europe and Eurasia, Latin America and the Caribbean, and the Middle East/North Africa.
