An Introduction to BRIDGE in Malawi

The Electoral Commission of Malawi (MEC) in conjunction with The European Union (EU) organised a 5-day BRIDGE “Introduction to Electoral Administration” course on 18 – 22 June 2012 in Lilongwe, Malawi.

This workshop was the first course in a series of capacity development workshops that are planned as part of the training strategy of the Electoral Commission and EU for the purpose of ensuring that the commissioners and senior management have the necessary skills and expertise to develop implement strategies that will ensure that mandate of administering free and fair elections is carried out efficiently.

The objective of the BRIDGE Introduction to Electoral Management course was to provide capacity development as part of an induction process for new Commissioners and Heads of Departments who have recently joined the MEC. The workshop was also graced by the attendance of the Chairperson and the Chief Electoral Officer, who also received their certificates. Their presence and contributions were tremendously valuable and much appreciated.

The European Union provided the funding for the project including accommodation and subsistence and travel for the participants while International IDEA covered travel expenses and provided consultancy fees for the International Accrediting level facilitator.

The facilitation team consisted of;

1. Sibongile Zimemo (Female);(Consultant; South Africa – South African) – Accrediting and Lead Facilitator
2. Harris Potani (Male);(Malawi Electoral Commission  – MEC) – Accredited
3. Thandie Nkovole (Female): (Malawi Electoral Commission  – MEC) – Accredited
4. Kate Mjojo: (Female) (Malawi Electoral Commission  – MEC) – Semi- Accredited
5. King Norman Rudi (Male) (Malawi Electoral Commission  – MEC) – Semi Accredited

King and Kate were able to complete their full accreditation during the workshop to become BRIDGE facilitators.

22 participants (16 males and 6 females) participated in the workshop.

The departments represented were:
• 11 Commissioners including the Chairperson
• 11 Heads of Departments