By Jonathan Mbiriyamveka
Lilongwe — A 13-member delegation from the Electoral Support Network for Southern Africa (ESN-SA) and the Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) has arrived in Malawi to participate in a Learning Mission ahead of the country’s 16 September General Elections.
The team, comprising accredited short-term observers from Angola, Mozambique, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, was invited by the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) and will be deployed primarily in Lilongwe and surrounding areas until 19 September.
In a joint statement, ESN-SA and ZESN expressed gratitude to the people of Malawi and the MEC for their warm welcome, emphasizing the importance of regional collaboration in strengthening democratic governance.
“We are honoured to be part of this important democratic process and are truly experiencing the warmth and spirit that Malawi is known for,” the statement read.
The Learning Mission aims to enhance understanding of election management and the role of civil society in promoting credible, peaceful, and participatory elections.
It also serves as a platform for peer learning, knowledge exchange, and technical support among domestic observers across the region.
Key objectives include:
Gathering insights to inform evidence-based recommendations for regional electoral advocacy.
Strengthening ZESN’s domestic observation strategies.
Promoting best practices in election observation and engagement.
Upholding the principles of impartiality, neutrality, professionalism, and respect for national sovereignty.
The mission also intends to engage with regional and international institutions observing the polls, aiming to strengthen cooperation and standardize election observation protocols across Southern Africa.
As Malawi heads to the polls, both ESN-SA and ZESN reiterated their commitment to supporting democratic processes not only in Malawi but throughout the region.
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