MEC supports inaugural media and access to information conference

On September 26, 2024, the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) Chairperson, Justice Annabel Mtalimanja, officially opened the highly anticipated Media and Access to Information Annual Conference at the Bingu International Conference Centre (BICC) in Lilongwe.

Themed “Promoting Free Flow of Information Towards the 2025 General Elections“, the conference brought together key stakeholders to discuss the pivotal role of media and access to information in ensuring transparent, free, and fair elections.

In her official opening speech, Justice Mtalimanja emphasized that the free flow of information was critical for a transparent electoral process, enabling citizens to make informed decisions ahead of the 2025 General Elections, set for 16 September 2025.

She reiterated the importance of access to timely, accurate, and reliable information throughout the electoral cycle to uphold the integrity of the elections and democracy as a whole.

“For elections to be free, fair, and credible, the electorate must have access to information at all stages of the electoral process,” stated Justice Mtalimanja.

She underscored the media’s responsibility to provide unbiased and factual information to voters, ensuring that they are equipped to make well-informed decisions.

Furthermore, she highlighted MEC’s commitment to transparency, pledging that the Commission would continue to provide regular updates to the public via various communication channels, including social media.

Justice Mtalimanja emphasized the media’s role as an indispensable partner in the electoral process highlighting the dual responsibility of the media in disseminating information and acting as a watchdog, ensuring transparency in the electoral process.

She called on journalists to maintain professionalism and integrity in their reporting and to resist sensationalism, which can fuel misinformation and mislead voters.

Commissioner Teresa Ndanga from the Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC) delivered the keynote address. She lauded the collaboration between MEC and media organizations such as MISA Malawi and the Media Council of Malawi, stressing the importance of partnerships in promoting media freedom and access to information.

She pointed out that access to information is a constitutional right and a key ingredient in upholding transparency and accountability in governance. She encouraged political parties to be more transparent with their funding, as stipulated by the Political Parties Act, which mandates the disclosure of both public and private funds.

Both Justice Mtalimanja and Commissioner Ndanga emphasized that the success of the 2025 General Elections will depend on the collective efforts of all stakeholders, including the media, civil society organizations, political parties, and the public.

They called for a continued dialogue to ensure that voters are equipped with the information they need to participate fully and meaningfully in the electoral process.

The conference was jointly organised by the Media Council of Malawi and the Malawi Human Rights Commission as part of the commemoration of the International Day of Universal Access to Information (IDUAI).

Apart from Malawi Electoral Commission, other partners included the Chandler Foundation, the United States Embassy, the Central Medical Stores Trust, the Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences, the  Malawi Revenue Authority, the National Economic Empowerment Fund, the Green Belt Authority, the National Oil Company of Malawi, the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority, the Electricity Supply Company of  Malawi and Tilitonse Foundation.