The National Initiative for Civic Education (NICE) Trust and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) have called for integrity, professionalism, and neutrality in monitoring Malawi’s September 16, 2025 local elections.
Speaking at the launch of a Training of Trainers (ToT) workshop for NICE’s Election Situation Room in Lilongwe, NICE Executive Director Gray Kalindekafe described observers as the unsung heroes of elections whose vigilance ensures every vote counts and every voice is heard, regardless of background or political affiliation.
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According to Kalindekafe, observers must embody integrity, patience, empathy, and professionalism to carry out their responsibilities during the general elections. He reminded them:
“Your responsibility is to bear witness, not to participate or influence. You are here to protect the democratic process, not to tilt it one way or the other. Report only verified facts, not rumors or unsubstantiated claims, because the credibility of the entire election can rest on the integrity of your reports,” he said.
In his remarks, Richard Atwaru COMESA’s Conflict Analyst commended the collaboration with NICE, calling it critical in ensuring electoral integrity by making sure all aspects of the process align with the legal framework, not just in theory, but in every action taken on the ground.
He said democracy and regular elections are foundational pillars for peace and stability and warned that elections are often emotive, requiring all actors to work for a credible outcome acceptable to all stakeholders.
“At COMESA, we believe credible and legitimate democratic elections are a foundation for sustainable peace, security and stability, creating a conducive environment for both foreign and domestic investment that will, in turn, translate into economic growth for our people. That is why we work closely with partners like NICE, because with vigilance, unity, and unwavering faith in democracy, we can deliver elections that earn the confidence of all Malawians, regardless of the results,” he said.
He also noted that COMESA and the African Union had conducted a pre-election and needs assessment mission to Malawi in April, with findings guiding current technical support to the Malawi Electoral Commission and stakeholders.
The workshop will prepare over 6,300 stationed observers and 509 roving observers, each equipped with smartphones and the newly launched Masoathu ICT platform for real-time reporting and early warning of election-related incidents.
COMESA has pledged to complement NICE’s extensive coverage with its own short-term observer mission, sharing information and comparing notes to enhance monitoring.
In addition, UNDP has provided more than 500 tablets and the digital platform infrastructure, while the EU funded observer training and honoraria.
Data gathered will be shared through press briefings, displayed at a public room at Capital Hotel, and included in NICE’s post-election report.
The training is supported by UNDP through the Malawi Electoral Support Programme (MESP) and COMESA.
Participants include representatives from NICE, NGO Gender Coordination Network (GCN), UN Women Malawi, Malawi Peace and Unity Commission, the Malawi Electoral Commission, MHub, the Independent Complaints Commission (ICC), and the EU Election Observation Mission for Malawi
