NGOs Conduct in the 2019 Tripartite Elections

Observe peace, rule of law and apolitical image

PREAMBLE
Mandated by the NGO Act 2000 Part VII and VIII as an NGO Coordinating body and representative of the collective interests and concerns of all NGOs in Malawi;

Cognizance of the critical role that NGOs play in contribution to a free and fair electoral process through Civic and Voter Education (CVE) and Election observation and Monitoring from all the 5 past Elections since 1994;

Further recognizing the basic need for NGOs doing CVE and Elections observation and Monitoring to abide by electoral laws and Codes of conduct;

Aware of the various threats, dilemmas and opportunities the electoral process brings to NGOs as corporate and NGO workers as individuals, feels duty bound to provide this guidance and appeal.

OUR GUIDANCE
The Council for NGOs in Malawi would like to remind NGOs to:

  1. Generally uphold Constitutionalism of the Republic of Malawi and its associated legislation (principal or subsidiary legislation) on Elections.
  2. Uphold Section 20(3)(a)(vi) of the NGO Act by avoiding politicking and electioneering as NGOs corporate or as individuals working in NGOs. This will in turn avoid corresponding sanctions by mandated authorities which include de-registration of the NGO among others if found guilty of same. NGO Staff standing as Candidates should by now have resigned from their NGO work positions to avoid compromising and embroiling the NGO into partisan politics.
  3. Engage in CVE activities only and only if you are accredited by the Electoral Commission (EC). This will preserve order and accountability of results and easy monitoring by authorities.
  4. Use materials and messages for CVE approved or vetted by EC
  5. At all times perform your duties including CVE in a politically non-partisan manner. This entails not being controlled or influenced by any Candidate of Political party
  6. Ensure secrecy of the vote and respect the choice of the electorate to uphold democracy.
  7. Observe the Gender Equality Act and Disability laws in your plans and programs of CVE and others
  8. Always avoid situations and circumstances that put the NGO into disrepute and compromise on credibility of the NGO itself and associated stakeholders like CONGOMA, NGO Board and EC.
  9. Avoid displaying, carrying or putting on Political party or Candidate colours even if you are a staunch supporter of their ideologies.
  10. Avoid creating secrets about your undertakings by always being open to financial and results probity and by providing requisite reports to authorities. This ensures accountability and removes mistrust among stakeholders.

OUR PLEAS
CONGOMA would like to plead with NGOs and stakeholders as follows:

  1. EC to ensure that they run the electoral process expeditiously and within the law respecting all stakeholders. Iron out any sticky and tricky issues before hand. EC should step up if not done already, the procurements of relevant electoral materials and meticulously plan their deployment.
  2. NGOs to take the guidance as a reminder because it is not new as these laws have been there for some time now.
  3. Political Parties and Candidates should stick to issue based campaign and adhere to the Code of Conduct for peaceful campaign, polling and announcement of results. Entertain diversity and co-existence. In addition, Political Parties and Candidates should religiously and willfully refrain from giving handouts consistent with the Political Parties law.
  4. Traditional Leaders should be accommodating all Political Parties and Candidates to campaign freely without let or hindrance in their areas.
  5. The electorate should carefully listen to all Parties and Candidates on their campaign promises and make informed judgment as to who they will vote for.  Refrain from being carried away by lying Candidates who promise the moon which they cannot deliver.
  6. The Media, both private and public, should stick to the Code of Conduct you signed and be fair to all Candidates and Parties.

CONCLUSION
CONGOMA calls upon all stakeholders to ensure peaceful, free and credible 2019 tripartite elections and take advantage of them to deepen our democracy and development. 

Signed

Steven Duwa
CHAIRPERSON
22 March 2019

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