Malawi Hosts IEC Lesotho on Learning Visit on Electoral Technology and Logistics

LILONGWE, Malawi — The Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) hosted a high-level delegation from the Independent Electoral Commission of Lesotho (IEC Lesotho) on a two-day study tour aimed at strengthening electoral systems through shared experience and regional cooperation.

The visit, held from 30 to 31 March 2026 in Lilongwe, focused on Information and Communication Technology (ICT), electoral operations, and election logistics—key pillars in the delivery of credible elections in modern democracies.

Opening the engagement, MEC Chairperson Annabel Mtalimanja said the Commission was honoured to host the delegation, describing the visit as a valuable platform for mutual learning and institutional strengthening. She noted that the exchange aligns with the broader objectives of the Electoral Commissions Forum of SADC, which promotes collaboration and sharing of best practices among electoral management bodies in Southern Africa.

Justice Mtalimanja highlighted that Malawi’s recent electoral experience, particularly the 2025 General Election, demonstrated the importance of professionalism, adherence to the law, and active stakeholder participation in building public confidence. She added that the study tour would allow MEC to share its approaches to integrating technology in voter registration, verification, results transmission, and election logistics.

The Lesotho delegation, led by IEC Chairperson John Maphephe, selected Malawi as a learning destination due to longstanding institutional ties and shared regional commitments. He said the visit comes at a critical time for Lesotho as it seeks to enhance efficiency, transparency, and trust in its electoral processes.

Rev. Dr. Maphephe noted that Malawi’s experience in managing simultaneous presidential, parliamentary, and local government elections presents valuable lessons for Lesotho, which is exploring similar electoral reforms. He also pointed to Malawi’s use of technology in voter identification and results management as an area of particular interest.

During the visit, the delegation engaged in technical sessions covering the legal framework for elections, integration of ICT in electoral processes, results transmission systems, biometric voter verification, logistics and warehouse management, monitoring and evaluation, and financial and procurement systems. The programme also included site visits and in-depth discussions with MEC technical teams.

The study tour further examined how technology can enhance transparency and stakeholder confidence, while also addressing operational challenges such as the storage, retrieval, and distribution of election materials across large geographic areas.

Both commissions emphasized that such exchanges are essential in strengthening democratic institutions across the region. The visit underscored the importance of collaboration beyond national borders, particularly as electoral management bodies confront evolving challenges, including technological adaptation and the need for greater public trust.

The engagement is expected to deepen bilateral cooperation between Malawi and Lesotho while contributing to ongoing efforts to improve electoral integrity and administration within the Southern African region.