BRIDGE for Commissioners and Management on Introduction to Election Administration and Boundary Delimitation

Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) with support from the development partners IFES and UNDP through the funding provided by USAID and UNDP basket fund, organized a six-day BRIDGE Introduction to Election Management and Boundary Delimitation course. The workshop was conducted on 19-24 July 2021 in Lilongwe, Malawi. It was organized for MEC commissioners, including recently appointed, and MEC senior management.

The workshop was attended by 22 participants (18 male, 4 female). Facilitation team was composed of three lead facilitators and four co-facilitators: Dr. Augustine Magolowondo – lead facilitator, Henzily Munkhondya – lead facilitator, Pavel Cabacenco – lead facilitator, Muhabi Chisi – MEC co-facilitator, Thandiwe Zimba – MEC co-facilitator, Kate Mjojo – MEC co-facilitator, Deverson Makwete – MEC co-facilitator. Due to the Covid-19 restrictions the modality of the training was a combination of the face-to-face and online training. While most of the sessions were provided in person, some of the presentations were delivered online by the IFES global advisers and experts.

The workshop focused on the key principles and best practices of election administration, international standards in elections, functions of the election management bodies throughout Electoral Cycle. Special attention was paid to the boundary delimitation process, its key components, principles and steps.

The workshop was highly appreciated by the participants. Sessions that engaged participants in discussions, interactive sessions with practical implications were considered most useful and enjoyable.

At the end of the workshop all participants received certificates of completion of the Introduction to Electoral Management and Boundary Delimitation course.