Malawi urged to learn from 2024 South African
National Initiative for Civic Education (Nice) Trust says the South African elections held in May this year had elements which Malawi can tap from as it prepares for the September 16 2025 General Elections.
This comes at a time when the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) has launched the forthcoming elections calendar, with the pilot voter registration phase starting on Monday.
Presenting a report of the South African elections observer mission which Nice Trust participated alongside other non-governmental organisations from Mozambique, Botswana and South Africa, the Trust’s board chairperson Lingalireni Mihowa said the elections were well-organised and inclusive.
well organised
She said: “It was impressive to see how the youth, women and other marginalised groups participated.
“There are indeed a number of issues we need to learn from the South Africa elections.”
The report highlights how voters with special cases were given an opportunity to cast a special vote which is a vote cast before the actual voting day.
According to the South African electoral system, those with special cases apply to be accorded a special vote..
On security of the ballot, the report says the mission observed tight security as highly-trained security personnel in electoral management were deployed in polling centres as well as in hot spots of violence as presiding officers.
The observer mission was supported by the European Union (EU) and was conducted in collaboration with the Democracy Development Programme of South Africa.
EU delegation team leader on social sector Michele Crimella said it is anticipated that if Malawi can copy positive elements from the South African elections, next year’s elections will be impactful.
Malawi has already adopted the use of the election management devices which countries such as South Africa use for voter registration and MEC is currently testing the system to be used for the 2025 elections..
