MEC says information sharing critical in electoral process

Lusaka, April 24, Mana: Legal Services Manager for the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC), Lawrence Lunguzi, says the commission recognizes the critical role of a healthy information ecosystem in promoting electoral integrity and public trust.

Lunguzi made the remarks on Thursday in Lusaka, Zambia, during the opening of a two-day workshop organized by the Centre for Human Rights-University of Pretoria in collaboration with the PANOS Institute Southern Africa, focusing on healthy information ecosystems and elections in Zambia and Malawi,

“As we prepare for the 2025 general elections, we have taken proactive steps to enhance the flow of credible information, strengthen media relations, and empower voters to discern truth from falsehood," Lunguzi said. "We are also engaging with digital platforms, civil society, and fact-checkers to collaboratively tackle misinformation.”

He added that MEC has intensified the dissemination of information on electoral processes through the National Election Consultative Forum (NECOF), and public engagements to ensure a free and fair election on September 16, 2025.

The Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information in Africa, Ourveena Geereesha Topsy-Sonoo, referenced the Guidelines on Access to Information and Elections in Africa.

She said access to information empowers the electorate to be well-informed about political processes, enabling them to elect political office holders; participate in decision-making on laws and policies; and hold public officials accountable.

“I urge the Election Management Bodies of Malawi and Zambia to take the lead in promoting transparency," Topsy-Sonoo said, and she continued: "Proactive disclosure, as set out in the Guidelines, is not just good practice; it is a legal and moral obligation. It is also the most effective antidote to misinformation and disinformation, which have increasingly tainted the information space and, thereby undermining democratic processes.”

Deputy Director for the Centre for Human Rights-University of Pretoria, Lloyd Kuveya, said the workshop was organized to promote the integrity and credibility of election processes and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, in line with the African Union (AU) normative framework on information rights in the context of elections.

“We want to see Malawi and Zambia respecting freedom of expression and access to information,” Kuveya said.

Chairperson for the Civil Society Elections Integrity Forum, Benedicto Kondowe, stressed that non-state actors have an “imperative role” in conducting voter education to ensure that the public exercise their right to vote.

However, Kondowe noted that civil society organizations (CSOs) often face financial constraints.

He highlighted the need for partners to fund the organizations to help ensure credible elections, adding that while many CSOs are eager to participate, most lack adequate funding.

Malawi is scheduled to hold its general elections on September 16, 2025, while Zambia will follow on August 13, 2026.

The workshop was attended by representatives from Election Management Bodies, civil society organizations, the media, academia, and political parties from Malawi and Zambia.