The National Initiative for Civic Education (NICE) Public Trust says the new book on the 2025 election which is still being written will help to create a better political and electoral landscape for future elections.
The book, which is yet to be named and launched and is being spearheaded by NICE Public Trust, Political Science Association (PSA) and the Institute for Policy Interaction (IPI), will look at the 2025 general election process by focusing on pre-, during and post-election events.
Executive Director for NICE Public Trust, Grey Kalindekafe, said the book will be more practical than theoretical as it will provide recommendations on how to avoid challenges that are being encountered now.
“The book is looking at a number of issues such as gender, the role of the youth, the role of domestic and international observers and many others. We want to analyse voting patterns to help all stakeholders involved in elections to plan effectively for future elections,” explained Kalindekafe.
One of the editors of the book, Nandini Patel, says it is very important to have this particular book as it will give a reflection of the democratic progress in Malawi considering that in a period of five years from the previous general elections a lot of things change.
According to Patel, who is acting Director for IPI, a lot of changes have happened since the 2019 elections in the context of the legal framework such as the addition of new constituencies and wards as well as the 50+1 requirement.
“Many things change in five years. Institutions grow, people’s public participation sometimes increases or decreases and factors like religion and ethnicity play a role in the election. All these changes make an impact on the general election as stakeholders try to adapt to the new environment,” added Patel.
