MEC, UNDP and DONORS FLAG OFF SUPPORT FOR ELECTIONS

Chairperson for MEC Justice Anastasia Msosa speaking after the signing ceremony

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Government of Malawi and the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) have flagged off the second phase of donor support to the Electoral Reforms and Elections in Malawi.

The signing ceremony of a Project Support Document by the three partners, which took place at the UNDP Offices in Lilongwe signaled the start of the flow of assistance from donors to help with, among other things, the preparation and actual conduct of the May 19, 2009 Parliamentary and Presidential elections.

The support, which officially took off on July 1st, also aims at strengthening management and technical capacity in MEC to carry out the forthcoming and any other elections thereafter.

Department for International Development (DFID), The Royal Norwegian Embassy, European Commission (EC), United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Embassy of Ireland, the German Government through GTZ and UNDP have put together about 17 million United States Dollars as a Trust Fund for the second phase of Support to Electoral Reform and Elections project. The UNDP is managing Elections Trust Fund.

Speaking at the ceremony chairperson of the MEC, Justice Anastasia Msosa said the signing ceremony of the document signifies the commitment of development partners in supporting the electoral process and it is also a testimony of their confidence in MEC. She said with the resources committed the MEC is confident that everything will run smoothly and can assure the development partners that they will get value for their money as all the guidelines outlined with regards to budgeting will be followed.

UNDP Resident Representative Dr Joseph Mugore putting a seal on the document

UNDP Resident Representative, Dr. Joseph Mugore thanked government of Malawi for making available mandates, material and resources with which the donor community is able to facilitate support needed for the electoral process.He said the signing ceremony is a great accomplishment as preparing for an election is an enormous task with a lot of challenges. “When we say this accomplishment is a result of blood sweat and tears, we are not exaggerating”, he said.

In his remarks, Project Coordinator Sam Alfandika appreciated the commitment and dedication shown by all those involved in putting the document together. He said it has been quite a journey and the signing ceremony presents a very significant moment for all parties involved.

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