MALAWI: Four Organizations Launch Chisankho Watch Coalition for Transparent Elections in Malawi

By Stella Zulu

In the effort to ensure credible, transparent and peaceful elections in Malawi, Four Organisations namely the Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP), the Public Affairs Committee (PAC), the Gender Justice Unit, and the Meeting Hub (mHub), have launched Chisankho Watch, a citizen Elections observation coalition in Malawi which its primary purpose is to observe elections to enhance transparency, inclusivity and credibility of Malawi’s electoral process

Speaking during the launch at Sunbird Lilongwe Hotel, the coalition’s Board Chairperson, Rev Bishop Matonga said Chisankho Watch’s goal is to be an inclusive and evidence-based coalition that fosters innovative and sustainable election observation practices ensuring credible, transparent and peaceful elections in Malawi.

“This coalition is important because it will help ensure that the coming 2025 elections are credible, fair, and free and that Malawians should be satisfied. We, therefore, encourage Malawians to never give up but make sure they participate in the electoral process and trust that there are independent institutions like Chisankho Watch working tirelessly throughout the electoral process to ensure that the people’s will is respected”. Said Bishop Matonga

He continued that the four organizations making up Chisankho Watch are credible institutions with a long-standing history in elections observation, trained observers that are non-partisan, and evidence-based reputation in data collection. This he said assures Malawians of the trustworthiness of the coalition’s observations of the 2025 elections and its reports about the whole electoral process.

In his remarks, the CCJP National Coordinator, Mr Boniface Chibwana said the Coalition will promote meaningful citizen participation by engaging diverse stakeholders including marginalized groups in elections observation and civic education efforts.

“Among other things, Chisankho Watch will conduct observation of the fresh voter registration process which is about to begin, hold advocacy engagements with key stakeholders like MEC, process and verify results of the 2025 elections for transparency, and observe the pre-and post-elections environment in Malawi. The coalition envisages credible, inclusive and transparent elections for a peaceful and democratic Malawi.” Said Mr Chibwana

Presenting a keynote address during the launch, Electoral Governance Expert, Dr. Henry Chingaipe said domestic electoral observation is important because it strengthens election transparency, mitigates electoral manipulation and identifies legal gaps and deviations from the Law, which he said determines the legitimacy of the government that comes out from the electoral process.

Representing the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC), Commissioner Dr Sarah Limbikani Kamlongera, who was also the Guest of honor at the Launch, said the coalition has been welcomed and it will enhance collaboration between MEC and the organisations that have now joined their efforts in ensuring a transparent electoral process in Malawi.

“The coalition allows for partnership and collaboration that will ease communication on electoral issues and which help MEC to develop more confidence in the entire process knowing that every stakeholder out there is watching and is interested in the electoral process”. Said Commissioner Kamlongera

To enhance and strengthen its capacity in observation of the 2025 electoral process, Chisankho Watch is receiving technical assistance from the National Democratic Institute (NDI). The Chisankho Watch has been made possible with funding from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).