Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC), in collaboration with stakeholders and with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), has validated the Electoral Dispute Resolution (EDR) framework ahead of the 2025 general elections.
The initiative aims to mitigate conflicts, resolve disputes and ensure peaceful and credible elections as the country undertakes voter registration and prepares for polling day.
During the EDR validation workshop in Lilongwe, MEC Chairperson, Justice Anabel Mntalimanja, noted that electoral cycles often experience conflicts and challenges.
She said that the framework is designed to address these issues both formally and informally, ensuring the country is adequately prepared.
UNDP Deputy Representative, Challa Getachew, stressed the framework’s importance in clarifying institutional responsibilities, avoiding duplications, and enhancing efficiency in managing disputes.
Linda Limbe, Secretary General of the Alliance for Democracy (AFORD), highlighted the urgency of the EDR framework, warning that unresolved disputes could escalate into violence.
According to UNDP, the framework builds on Malawi’s strong peace architecture and judicial systems while fostering collaboration among diverse stakeholders to ensure effective coordination and dispute resolution at all levels.
By Yamikani Makanga
