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| National |
| K98m for fair elections |
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by
Joseph Langa, 03 October 2003
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10:50:52
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The United States of America government, which pledged $900,000 for the next year’s elections has said it hopes that the Malawi government will ensure that next year’s elections are free and fair by creating an environment where all political parties are free to express their opinion.
US Ambassador to Malawi Steven Browning was responding to questions from members of the press after signing an agreement with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) at UNDP offices in Lilongwe where his government committed $500,000 towards the UNDP donor basket to be used for the procurement of voter registration materials for the elections.
Browning also announced that his government will also provide $400,000 outside the UNDP donor basket for helping political parties to strengthen their internal structures and employ more democratic decision-making processes, saying “the grant is expected to assist political parties in effectively managing processes necessary to ensure free and fair elections”.
“Elections can only be free and fair if they are conducted in an environment in which people are free to discuss the issues, where all political parties are free to express their opinion and explain what their positions are,” Browning said.
UNDP Resident Representative Zahra Nuru said what is important is to encourage an environment for free and fair elections, remove fear from people and create a culture of peace during what she described as “a very critical time of democracy consolidation of the country”.
“We are supporting Electoral Commission and government to be able to provide support so that the elections are done in a free and fair environment,” Nuru said.
Meanwhile, Nuru said the UNDP basket funding, which is expected to grow to $5 million, is now at $2.8 million with funding from the US government. She said they are yet to get a contribution pledged by the European Union but said the available resources are ready for use now, once a request has been put across to them.
The other contribution towards the basket was made by the British government, through the Department for International Development (DFID), and the Norwegian government.
According to Nuru, the donor basket is supposed to be used for voter registration and clean up of voters roll, voter education and support to accredited NGOs and the media to conduct voter education among other areas. |
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