Training doesn\u2019t stop at the top.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With just a few months to go before Malawi heads to the polls in September 2025, the countdown is on not only for voters but also for election observers and their trainers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Preparing for election observation in Malawi goes beyond logistics. It\u2019s about making sure those who train observers are up to date and ready to lead in the field. This is precisely what happened at the Training of Trainers workshop led by the Electoral Support Network for Southern Africa (ESN-SA)<\/a> and its member the Catholic Commission for Peace and Justice (CJJP)<\/a> in Lilongwe (Malawi), from 8 to 11 July.<\/p>\n\n\n\n From fighting disinformation to walking citizens through legal options and voter education, they built their skills to inform and inspire. Amid declining public trust in democratic institutions, as noted by Grace Mganga, representative of the European Union Delegation in Malawi, and rising electoral conflicts, as explained by Louis Msiyadungu, National Coordinator at CCJP Malawi, this wasn\u2019t just about passing information; it was about building a resilient network of grounded, informed, and relatable local leaders ready to keep Malawi\u2019s elections peaceful, inclusive, and democratic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 32 election observation trainers were transformed into messengers of peace, inclusion, and informed participation, who:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Because even the best trainers need a little training, refreshing, and retooling. Ready to carry on their knowledge, these 32 trainers will now empower election observers across Malawi to be the eyes and ears of the integrity of the September elections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n