Malawi Tripartite Elections, 20 May 2014
Contributors: Commonwealth Observer Group
Series Title: Commonwealth Election Reports
Publication date: 22 October 2014
Size:
297mm x 210mm
ISBN: 978-1-84929-132-3
Pages: 36
The report of the Commonwealth Observer Group for Malawi tripartite elections held on 20 May 2014. The mission was chaired by Lt Gen Mompati Sebogodi Merafhe, former Vice-President of Botswana and was comprised of 11 members in total.
These were the first tripartite elections in Malawi’s history, simultaneously providing elections at the presidential, parliamentary and local government levels, and marked an important step in Malawi’s journey to further consolidate democracy. The group found that the elections were conducted in a credible and transparent manner and offered a number of recommendations to further improve the electoral process.
These were the first tripartite elections in Malawi’s history, simultaneously providing elections at the presidential, parliamentary and local government levels, and marked an important step in Malawi’s journey to further consolidate democracy. The group found that the elections were conducted in a credible and transparent manner and offered a number of recommendations to further improve the electoral process.
Contents
Letter of Transmittal
1. Introduction
Invitation
Terms of reference
Activities
2. Political Context
Brief historical background
From President Bingu wa Mutharika to President Joyce Banda
The ‘Cashgate’ scandal
2014 pre-election political environment
3. The Electoral Framework and Election Administration
The legal framework
International and regional commitments
Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC)
Voter eligibility and voter registration
Candidate eligibility and nominations
Nomination fees
Constituency delimitation
Complaints
Women’s participation
Youth participation
Recommendations
4. Campaign and the Media
Campaign
Media coverage
Use of social media
Recommendations
5. Voting Counting and Results
Key procedures for opening and voting
Assessment of opening and voting
Key procedures for counting and vote tabulation
Legislative foundations
Procedure
Procedure for counting votes
Null and void ballot papers
Recording and announcing the results
Assessment of counting and results tabulation
Counting
Tabulation
Recommendations
6. Conclusions and Recommendations
Recommendations
The electoral framework and election administration
Campaign and the media
Voting counting and results
Annexes
1. Biographies and Composition of the Group
2. Arrival Statement
3. Interim Statement
4. Deployment Plan
1. Introduction
Invitation
Terms of reference
Activities
2. Political Context
Brief historical background
From President Bingu wa Mutharika to President Joyce Banda
The ‘Cashgate’ scandal
2014 pre-election political environment
3. The Electoral Framework and Election Administration
The legal framework
International and regional commitments
Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC)
Voter eligibility and voter registration
Candidate eligibility and nominations
Nomination fees
Constituency delimitation
Complaints
Women’s participation
Youth participation
Recommendations
4. Campaign and the Media
Campaign
Media coverage
Use of social media
Recommendations
5. Voting Counting and Results
Key procedures for opening and voting
Assessment of opening and voting
Key procedures for counting and vote tabulation
Legislative foundations
Procedure
Procedure for counting votes
Null and void ballot papers
Recording and announcing the results
Assessment of counting and results tabulation
Counting
Tabulation
Recommendations
6. Conclusions and Recommendations
Recommendations
The electoral framework and election administration
Campaign and the media
Voting counting and results
Annexes
1. Biographies and Composition of the Group
2. Arrival Statement
3. Interim Statement
4. Deployment Plan
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