By Burnett Munthali
LILONGWE – The newly established Civil Society Elections Integrity Forum (CSEIF) has taken a firm stance against the involvement of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in partisan politics, arguing that such engagements undermine their credibility and compromise their role as watchdogs of democracy.
The forum, which serves as an umbrella body for CSOs operating under the Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) and the National Advocacy Platform (NAP), was officially launched last week in Lilongwe. Its primary objective is to uphold electoral integrity by ensuring that CSOs remain neutral while advocating for democratic governance, human rights, and social justice.
Speaking on behalf of the forum, Interim Chairperson Benedicto Kondowe emphasized that CSEIF is currently developing a Code of Conduct to guide CSOs in maintaining nonpartisan positions during electoral processes. He stated that this framework will outline ethical standards for CSOs, ensuring that they contribute meaningfully to democratic governance without being swayed by political affiliations.
Kondowe highlighted that CSOs have a fundamental duty to promote peace, accountability, and fair democratic practices. However, he expressed concern that some organizations have deviated from their core mandates by aligning with political parties, thereby losing public trust.
“We want to see civil society organizations remaining neutral while advocating for peace and sanity in the political space,” Kondowe said. “CSOs should not be used as political tools, as this undermines their credibility and the public’s confidence in their work.”
The formation of CSEIF comes at a critical time as Malawi approaches its next elections. Recent concerns over the role of CSOs in influencing political discourse and electoral processes have prompted calls for clearer ethical guidelines. The forum’s initiative aims to prevent any undue influence that could compromise democratic principles.
While some CSOs have welcomed the establishment of the forum, others have raised questions about how the Code of Conduct will be enforced and whether the forum itself will remain free from external political influences. Nonetheless, CSEIF has assured stakeholders that its framework will be developed through wide consultations and consensus-building among various civil society actors.
As the forum begins its work, stakeholders will be closely watching how it enforces its mandate and whether it will succeed in restoring the integrity and neutrality of CSOs in Malawi’s electoral and political processes.
