The European Union (EU) says it will provide 3 million euros (approximately K3.5 billion) towards the 2025 elections basket fund through its flagship Malawi Democratic Governance Programme.
 
EU ambassador to Malawi Rune Skinnebach told journalists in Lilongwe Thursday that the funds will be used to strengthen the capacity of Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC), Malawi Police Service and civil society organizations to ably engage with stakeholders and the electorate in the electoral process.
 
Skinnebach says this is in a bid that Malawi should have a well-managed, inclusive and transparent electoral process.
 
“The EU wishes to support peaceful elections, reduce tensions and potential disputes regarding the electoral process by strengthening existing mechanisms contributing to conflict prevention and mitigation,” said Skinnebach.
 
He added that the EU will also support the participation of women, youths and persons with disabilities in the electoral process.
 
According to Skinnebach, the donor funds are only complementing the huge budget that the Malawi government will set aside for elections. He therefore called on the government to give MEC enough resources in preparations towards the forthcoming election.
 
“For the successful conduct of the 2025 tripartite elections, it is imperative that the government allocates sufficient financial resources to MEC in a timely manner, so that it can proceed with electoral preparations as needed."
 
The EU ambassador also disclosed that they will also continue to support other broader democratic governance initiatives including the National Registration Bureau (NRB) and Ministry of Local Government under its “Boma lathu programme”.
 
The NRB, he said, will receive 3 million euros through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to develop and roll out the first civil registration system while the Directorate of Civic Education in the Ministry of Local Government will also get 3 million euros to support civic education and increase public participation.
 
Recently, the UK Government also unveiled a contribution of 2 million pounds (approximately K2.5 billion) towards the Malawi Electoral Support Project to assist in the preparation for the forthcoming elections to be free, fair and credible.