By Burnett Munthali
On Monday, 25 November, the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) conducted a validation workshop to review the Electoral Dispute Resolution (EDR) Framework for Malawi. The workshop brought together key stakeholders to discuss mechanisms for strengthening the resolution of electoral disputes, particularly as political tensions began to rise ahead of the forthcoming elections.
Addressing participants, MEC Chairperson Annabel Mtalimanja highlighted the critical role of dispute resolution in safeguarding the integrity of Malawi’s electoral process.
“Management of electoral complaints and disputes is a matter of law, and it is the responsibility of the Commission. The Commission is at liberty to decide how it wishes to discharge this responsibility,” she stated.
Mtalimanja also emphasized MEC’s dedication to addressing disputes involving electoral irregularities. However, she acknowledged that resolving some disputes might require collaboration with other institutions to ensure fair and efficient outcomes.
The EDR Framework, which was under review during the workshop, aimed to enhance the effectiveness, reliability, and functionality of Malawi’s electoral dispute resolution processes. By strengthening these mechanisms, the framework sought to ensure that Malawi could manage conflicts across all types of elections more effectively.
The workshop served as an important step toward fostering transparency and trust in the electoral process, with stakeholders reaffirming their commitment to working together to maintain peace and fairness in the country’s elections.
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