Strategic support through UNDP partnership addresses institutional capacity, democratic governance, voter inclusion, and conflict prevention as Malawi prepares for 2025 tripartite elections against backdrop of previous electoral crisis and current registration difficulties
The United Kingdom’s commitment of £2 million to support Malawi’s 2025 tripartite elections represents more than financial assistance—it demonstrates sustained international confidence in the southern African nation’s capacity for democratic governance despite significant ongoing challenges with voter registration and institutional preparedness.
As detailed in the UK government announcement, this contribution through the UNDP Elections Basket Fund directly addresses lessons learned from Malawi’s tumultuous 2019-2020 electoral crisis while tackling persistent obstacles that threaten to disenfranchise eligible voters ahead of the September 16, 2025 polls.
The timing and structure of this support reflects both optimism about Malawi’s democratic governance trajectory and recognition of substantial challenges that require sustained international engagement.
British High Commissioner Fiona Ritchie’s emphasis on “strengthening democratic accountability” acknowledges the complex balance between celebrating Malawi’s judicial independence—demonstrated during the historic annulment of the 2019 presidential election—while addressing practical barriers that continue to constrain inclusive electoral participation.
The initiative encompasses three critical components: enhancing capacity of the Malawi Electoral Commission and security services, promoting inclusion of marginalized groups including women, youth, and persons with disabilities, and strengthening conflict prevention mechanisms.
Malawi Spotlight discusses how this comprehensive approach reflects hard-won lessons from Malawi’s recent electoral history while addressing contemporary challenges that threaten the democratic governance gains achieved through the landmark 2020 fresh presidential election.
Historical Context: From Electoral Crisis to Democratic Governance Reforms
The UK’s current electoral support builds upon Malawi’s remarkable democratic governance journey from the depths of the 2019 electoral crisis to the successful 2020 fresh presidential election that demonstrated the resilience of the country’s judicial institutions. The February 3, 2020 Constitutional Court ruling that annulled the 2019 presidential election marked a continental first, with judges arriving to deliver their verdict wearing bulletproof vests under their robes—a stark reminder of the political tensions surrounding democratic governance in the region.
The original 2019 election, subsequently dubbed the “Tipp-Ex election” due to extensive use of correction fluid on ballot tallies, revealed systematic irregularities that the Constitutional Court deemed “widespread, systematic and grave.” The landmark ruling not only nullified incumbent Peter Mutharika’s declared victory but fundamentally transformed Malawi’s electoral system by mandating a 50%+1 majority requirement, replacing the previous first-past-the-post system that had allowed presidents to win with mere pluralities.
The successful June 23, 2020 fresh presidential election that brought Lazarus Chakwera to power with 58.6% of the vote validated the Constitutional Court’s intervention and demonstrated the potential for judicial institutions to strengthen democratic governance even in challenging political contexts. International observers noted the competent management of the 2020 polls by a reconstituted Malawi Electoral Commission, providing foundations for the current reform efforts.
Ritchie’s reference to the “high standards set by legislative reforms following the previous elections” acknowledges this transformative period while recognizing that institutional improvements require sustained support and vigilance. The electoral law amendments mandated by Parliament following the court rulings created new frameworks for democratic governance that now require effective implementation and continued refinement.
The broader continental significance of Malawi’s electoral reforms cannot be understated. As noted by regional analysts, the successful annulment and re-run of a presidential election set precedents for judicial independence and democratic governance across Africa, where disputed elections often result in political crises rather than legal remedies.
Contemporary Challenges: National ID Backlogs and Voter Registration Crisis
Despite the democratic governance advances achieved through judicial and legislative reforms, Malawi’s preparation for the 2025 elections faces significant practical obstacles that threaten to undermine the inclusivity principles established in the post-2020 framework. The national identity card backlog identified by High Commissioner Ritchie represents a critical vulnerability that could disenfranchise substantial numbers of eligible voters despite their constitutional rights.
Current electoral law requires national ID cards as the sole form of identification for voter registration, a change from previous practices that accepted village head letters and other alternative documents. While this requirement enhances election security and reduces fraud potential, it creates dependencies on the National Registration Bureau’s capacity to issue IDs in sufficient quantities and timeframes for electoral participation.
Recent data indicates that the Malawi Electoral Commission achieved only 65% of its projected target during the first phase of voter registration, registering 2,224,307 people against a target of 3,423,066 individuals. Civil society organizations have expressed alarm that ongoing ID registration challenges may prevent millions of eligible voters from participating in the 2025 elections, potentially undermining the democratic governance principles that the UK support seeks to strengthen.
Opposition parties and civil society groups have threatened legal challenges to the ID requirement, arguing that it effectively disenfranchises citizens through administrative barriers rather than substantive eligibility criteria. The Democratic Progressive Party has considered both court challenges and legislative amendments to address what they characterize as systematic exclusion from the electoral process.
President Chakwera’s decision to suspend expiry dates for national ID cards until January 1, 2026, represents one response to these challenges, extending validity periods to reduce administrative barriers for current cardholders. However, this measure does not address the fundamental capacity constraints affecting new registrations and card issuance for citizens who have never possessed national IDs.
The Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives (CDEDI) has announced demonstrations to highlight these concerns, indicating that voter registration difficulties have become focal points for broader debates about electoral inclusion and democratic governance. The controversy demonstrates how technical administrative challenges can evolve into significant political issues that threaten electoral legitimacy.
Strategic Framework: Three-Pillar Approach to Democratic Governance Enhancement
The UK’s support through the Malawi Electoral Support Project employs a comprehensive three-pillar framework designed to address institutional, social, and conflict-related dimensions of democratic governance. This strategic approach reflects sophisticated understanding of the multiple factors that determine electoral success beyond technical administration and legal frameworks.
The first pillar focuses on capacity building for the Malawi Electoral Commission, Malawi Police Service, and civil society organizations to engage effectively in the electoral process. This institutional strengthening component acknowledges that successful democratic governance depends not only on legal frameworks but also on the technical competence and professional integrity of implementing institutions.
For the MEC, capacity building encompasses both technical skills for election administration and institutional resilience to withstand political pressures that have historically compromised electoral management bodies across the region. The inclusion of the Malawi Police Service recognizes that law enforcement agencies play crucial roles in maintaining electoral security while respecting democratic rights and freedoms.
The second pillar addresses inclusion of women, youth, and persons with disabilities in the electoral process, reflecting international best practices that emphasize participatory democratic governance. UNDP Resident Representative Shigeki Komatsubara’s emphasis on “inclusivity for marginalized groups” acknowledges that formal electoral frameworks must be complemented by active efforts to ensure meaningful participation across demographic and social divisions.
This inclusion component involves collaboration with civil society organizations having national presence to deliver civic and voter education, recognizing that democratic governance requires informed citizen participation beyond mere ballot access. The focus on marginalized groups reflects recognition that electoral systems can perpetuate existing inequalities unless deliberately designed and implemented to promote broader participation.
The third pillar concentrates on conflict prevention and mitigation, acknowledging that electoral processes in divided societies can exacerbate tensions rather than resolve them. This component aims to strengthen existing mechanisms for managing electoral disputes and preventing violence that could undermine democratic governance gains achieved through institutional reforms.
The conflict prevention framework becomes particularly relevant given ongoing tensions around voter registration, opposition concerns about electoral management technology, and broader political polarization that characterizes contemporary Malawi politics. Effective democratic governance requires not only institutional competence but also social mechanisms for managing disagreement and competition peacefully.
International Partnership Framework and Multilateral Coordination
The UK’s contribution operates within a broader Elections Basket Fund that includes support from USAID, the European Union, the Royal Norwegian Embassy, and the Republic of Ireland, demonstrating coordinated international commitment to Malawi’s democratic governance development. This multilateral approach provides both financial leverage and political legitimacy for electoral support initiatives.
Komatsubara’s appreciation for the UK’s “unwavering dedication to fostering accountable representative democracy” reflects UNDP’s role as implementing partner while acknowledging bilateral relationships that enable effective multilateral programming. The partnership structure allows for technical expertise sharing while maintaining national ownership of electoral processes.
International electoral support has evolved significantly since the 2019-2020 electoral crisis, when preliminary observer mission statements from the Commonwealth, European Union, African Union, and SADC initially struck congratulatory tones despite irregularities that would prove decisive in subsequent court rulings. The current support framework reflects lessons learned about the importance of sustained engagement rather than episodic observation.
The UK’s historical role in supporting Malawi’s national ID system development provides particular legitimacy for continued engagement on voter registration challenges. Ritchie’s reference to “significant benefits this delivered during the administration of the 2019/2020 elections” acknowledges both past successes and ongoing requirements for system improvements and expansion.
Regional coordination becomes increasingly important as Malawi’s electoral experience influences democratic governance developments across southern Africa. The successful court-ordered re-run of a presidential election has created precedents that other regional electoral management bodies study and potentially emulate, raising the stakes for ensuring continued success.
The integration of conflict prevention components reflects growing international recognition that electoral support must address social and political dimensions of democratic governance rather than focusing exclusively on technical administration and legal frameworks. This holistic approach acknowledges that sustainable democracy requires broad social consensus about electoral legitimacy.
Civil Society Engagement and Inclusive Democratic Governance
The project’s emphasis on collaboration with civil society organizations reflects recognition that democratic governance extends beyond state institutions to encompass broader social participation and accountability mechanisms. The focus on organizations with “national presence” acknowledges the importance of reaching diverse communities and constituencies across Malawi’s geographic and social landscape.
Civic and voter education components address persistent challenges with political literacy and electoral understanding that can limit meaningful democratic participation. Research consistently demonstrates that informed voters make different choices than uninformed voters, suggesting that education programs can significantly impact democratic governance outcomes.
The inclusion of marginalized groups requires more than formal legal frameworks—it demands active outreach, accommodation of different communication needs, and removal of practical barriers that prevent participation. For persons with disabilities, this may involve physical accessibility improvements and alternative voting mechanisms. For women, it may require addressing cultural barriers and safety concerns that limit political engagement.
Youth inclusion presents particular challenges and opportunities in Malawi’s demographic context, where the majority of the population is under 25 years old. Engaging young voters requires contemporary communication strategies and addressing issues that resonate with their experiences and aspirations for democratic governance.
The civil society partnership framework also provides mechanisms for independent electoral monitoring and advocacy that complement official oversight systems. Civil society organizations often serve as early warning systems for electoral problems and can provide alternative information sources for voters and international observers.
However, civil society engagement also faces constraints from regulatory frameworks and resource limitations that can affect organizational capacity and independence. The NGO Act provides grounds for suspending registration of organizations deemed to have departed from original purposes or engaged in partisan politics, creating potential tensions for advocacy activities.
Current Implementation Challenges and Democratic Governance Obstacles
Despite the strategic framework and financial support, implementation of the Malawi Electoral Support Project faces significant practical obstacles that could constrain its effectiveness in strengthening democratic governance. The voter registration crisis exemplifies how technical challenges can undermine broader reform objectives despite substantial international investment and political commitment.
Opposition party resistance to electoral management technologies, including complaints about election management devices (EMDs) supplied by Smartmatic, reflects broader trust deficits that complicate technical improvements. The Democratic Progressive Party’s threats to challenge EMD usage demonstrate how technological modernization can become politically contentious rather than administratively beneficial.
Calls for MEC Chairperson Justice Annabel Mtalimanja’s resignation based on allegations of compromise illustrate ongoing political tensions that affect institutional legitimacy regardless of technical competence or international support. These political dynamics suggest that strengthening democratic governance requires addressing broader issues of political culture and inter-party relations.
The timeline pressures for the September 16, 2025 elections create constraints on the implementation period available for addressing identified problems and achieving project objectives. Electoral preparation timelines are typically rigid, limiting opportunities for adaptive management when unexpected challenges emerge.
Resource mobilization beyond the Elections Basket Fund remains challenging given Malawi’s broader economic constraints and competing development priorities. The government’s financial commitment to electoral preparation, while noted positively by Ritchie, operates within severe fiscal constraints that limit domestic resource availability for electoral improvements.
Coordination among multiple implementing agencies—MEC, National Registration Bureau, civil society organizations, and international partners—requires sustained management attention and clear communication protocols that can be difficult to maintain throughout extended implementation periods.
Regional and Continental Implications for Democratic Governance
Malawi’s electoral experience carries significance beyond national boundaries, influencing democratic governance debates and practices across southern Africa and the broader continent. The precedent of successful judicial intervention in disputed elections has encouraged similar legal challenges in other countries while raising expectations for electoral quality and accountability.
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) and African Union approaches to electoral observation and support have evolved partly in response to Malawi’s experience, reflecting growing recognition that regional organizations must balance sovereignty respect with democratic governance promotion. The successful re-run election demonstrated that external support can complement rather than substitute for domestic institutional resilience.
Zimbabwe’s recent electoral experiences and ongoing debates about electoral reforms reference Malawi’s judicial precedents and institutional innovations. South Africa’s upcoming electoral cycles and ongoing discussions about electoral law reforms similarly draw lessons from Malawi’s constitutional court interventions and subsequent legislative changes.
The broader continental context includes increasing attention to electoral technology, voter registration systems, and judicial independence across multiple countries preparing for elections. Malawi’s experience with both electoral management technology and legal challenges to electoral outcomes provides relevant case studies for regional learning and adaptation.
International democracy promotion strategies increasingly emphasize institutional resilience and domestic ownership rather than external intervention, reflecting lessons learned from Malawi’s experience where domestic institutions—particularly the judiciary and civil society—proved more decisive than international observer missions in addressing electoral irregularities.
Future Prospects and Democratic Governance Sustainability
The success of the UK’s electoral support and broader efforts to strengthen Malawi’s democratic governance will depend significantly on factors beyond the immediate project scope, including political party behavior, citizen engagement, and broader socio-economic conditions that affect electoral participation and institutional legitimacy.
Long-term sustainability requires institutionalizing the reforms and improvements achieved through international support, ensuring that enhanced capacity and improved practices continue beyond project implementation periods. This institutionalization challenge is particularly acute for electoral management bodies that operate episodically rather than continuously.
The development of local expertise and knowledge systems that can support future electoral cycles without extensive external assistance represents a crucial measure of project success. Training programs and institutional development initiatives must create lasting change rather than temporary improvements that dissipate when external support ends.
Political party acceptance of reformed electoral frameworks and procedures remains essential for sustainable democratic governance. Opposition concerns about technological systems and registration requirements suggest that broader political dialogue and consensus-building may be necessary to ensure continued legitimacy of electoral institutions and processes.
Economic development and poverty reduction could significantly impact democratic governance by reducing the material incentives for electoral corruption and vote-buying while increasing citizen capacity for independent political participation. However, these longer-term development outcomes extend beyond electoral support project timelines and require sustained commitment across multiple areas.
Building Resilient Democratic Governance Through Strategic Partnership
The UK’s £2 million contribution to Malawi’s 2025 electoral preparation represents a strategic investment in democratic governance that extends far beyond immediate electoral administration to encompass broader questions of institutional resilience, social inclusion, and conflict management. The three-pillar approach addressing capacity, inclusion, and conflict prevention reflects sophisticated understanding of the multiple factors that determine electoral success and democratic legitimacy.
The historical context of Malawi’s remarkable recovery from the 2019 electoral crisis demonstrates both the potential for democratic governance strengthening and the fragility of democratic institutions under political pressure. The successful constitutional court intervention and subsequent fresh presidential election provide foundations for continued progress while highlighting the ongoing requirements for sustained support and vigilance.
Current challenges with voter registration and national ID card backlogs illustrate how technical obstacles can threaten democratic governance principles despite legal frameworks and institutional reforms. The effectiveness of international support will be measured not only by project implementation but by the extent to which these practical barriers are successfully addressed through coordinated efforts involving multiple stakeholders.
The partnership framework involving the UK, UNDP, and other international supporters provides both financial resources and political legitimacy for electoral improvements while maintaining emphasis on national ownership and institutional development. This balance between external support and domestic leadership reflects lessons learned from previous electoral support experiences across the region.
The broader implications for regional democratic governance suggest that Malawi’s continued success in managing electoral challenges could influence democratic development across southern Africa and beyond. The precedents established through judicial independence and constitutional review create expectations and opportunities for similar interventions in other contexts where electoral irregularities threaten democratic legitimacy.
Perhaps most significantly, the UK’s sustained engagement reflects recognition that democratic governance requires long-term commitment rather than episodic intervention. The progression from crisis response during 2019-2020 to proactive capacity building for 2025 demonstrates how effective international partnerships can evolve from emergency assistance to developmental support.
As Malawi approaches its 2025 tripartite elections, the success of democratic governance will depend not only on technical competence and legal frameworks but on the broader social consensus about electoral legitimacy and institutional authority. The UK’s support contributes to this broader project while acknowledging that sustainable democracy ultimately depends on domestic ownership and citizen engagement rather than external intervention.
The integration of conflict prevention components with capacity building and inclusion initiatives reflects growing understanding that democratic governance requires comprehensive approaches addressing social and political dimensions alongside technical improvements. This holistic perspective offers hope for addressing the complex challenges that continue to face democratic development across the region and beyond.
