The National Initiative for Civic Education (NICE) Public Trust’s Elections Situation Room (ESR), dubbed “Maso Athu” meaning “our eyes” in Chichewa, is now in full operation as Malawi prepares for tomorrow’s general elections where millions will vote for President, Members of Parliament, and Councillors.
Speaking during the first press briefing at Capital Hotel in Lilongwe yesterday, NICE Public Trust Executive Director Gray Kalindekafe announced that the comprehensive election monitoring system is ready to ensure peaceful, fair, and credible elections.
“At this critical moment for our democracy, the NICE Public Trust, together with its strategic partners, is proud to announce that the Elections Situation Room is now officially in operation,” Kalindekafe said.
The ESR, launched on Friday September 12, 2025, combines advanced technology with human expertise to monitor incidents, verify facts, coordinate responses, and keep both Malawians and the media informed throughout the electoral period.
The monitoring system boasts a substantial observer network of more than 6,300 stationed observers and roving teams strategically deployed across polling locations, local councils, and movement corridors nationwide.
These observers underwent extensive training on incident recognition and documentation, proper use of the Maso Athu reporting tools, and protection of vulnerable voters while maintaining personal safety and impartiality.
The digital platform allows observers to send reports directly from the field, with the system checking and organizing information for quick sharing during public briefings or escalation to relevant authorities.
During election week, the ESR will maintain round-the-clock shifts with a public situation room at Capital Hotel displaying live, validated data.
An intervention desk will escalate verified incidents to bodies including the Malawi Electoral Commission and Malawi Police Service for coordinated responses.
The system operates on four core functions: tracking incidents in real-time, identifying trends and potential hotspots, coordinating stakeholder responses, and sharing accurate updates with the Electoral Commission and public.
“This is not a passive monitoring exercise. The ESR turns citizen observation into evidence that can trigger interventions, inform the public record and support post-electoral assessment,” Kalindekafe explained.
As part of election preparations, NICE Trust conducted extensive civic and voter education initiatives reaching over 15.4 million people between November 2024 and September 2025.
The 1,620 awareness and mobilization activities reached 8,873,262 women, 6,604,554 men, 3,724,048 youth, and 173,921 persons with disabilities under the European Union-funded Boma Lathu Programme and UNDP-funded Nthawi Yawo Programme.
Strong Partnership Foundation
The ESR operates through strategic partnerships led by NICE Public Trust and supported by UNDP’s Malawi Electoral Support Project (MESP), funded by international donors providing technical assistance, infrastructure, and project financing.
Regional and national partners including the Malawi Electoral Commission, COMESA, and civic organizations have contributed technical inputs and trainer resources, while civil society partners like Oxfam and UN Women focus on inclusion programming for women, youth, and persons with disabilities.
Kalindekafe urged journalists to use the ESR as their trusted source of verified information during the electoral period, emphasizing the system’s commitment to combating misinformation and disinformation.
“We urge you, as professional journalists, to use the ESR as your trusted source of verified information. By doing so, you will help combat misinformation, disinformation, and rumour mongering,” he said.
The ESR will provide daily briefing schedules, regular situation reports, and maintain live dashboards online for journalists requiring real-time data. Every briefing will clearly state what has been verified, what remains under verification, and escalation actions taken.
Based on preliminary ESR findings, the campaign period has been generally peaceful, with Kalindekafe thanking all political parties for respecting the Code of Conduct.
However, NICE Trust issued stern warnings against electoral malpractices on polling day, with Kalindekafe strongly cautioning voters and candidates about their duty to act lawfully during the elections.
“As voters and candidates, it is your duty to act lawfully. I strongly caution against the following electoral offences,” Kalindekafe emphasized, listing six specific prohibited activities; Vote buying – giving money or goods to influence voters; Multiple voting – casting more than one ballot; Impersonation – pretending to be another registered voter; Tampering with ballot papers – altering, destroying, or unlawfully marking ballots; Obstructing polling officials – interfering with election officers in their duties; and Unauthorized presence at polling stations – being at a polling site without permission.
“Let us each play our role responsibly to safeguard Malawi’s democracy,” Kalindekafe urged, emphasizing that these malpractices could undermine the integrity of the entire electoral process.
The ESR will produce a comprehensive post-electoral dossier documenting verified incidents, response timelines, gaps, and practical recommendations for policymakers, electoral authorities, and civil society to improve future processes.
“The ESR does not replace formal electoral institutions. Its role is to support them and the public by delivering verified information and acting swiftly to manage localized risks before they escalate,” Kalindekafe concluded.
The monitoring system represents a significant investment in democratic oversight, with verified information prioritized over rumors to maintain electoral integrity as Malawi heads to the polls tomorrow.
