VZCZCXRO4817
RR RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHJO RUEHMR RUEHRN
DE RUEHLG #0667/01 3241443
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 191443Z NOV 08
FM AMEMBASSY LILONGWE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0142
INFO RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AF DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY COLLECTIVE
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 0279
RUEHLMC/MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE CORPORATION WASHINGTON DC
RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 LILONGWE 000667 
 
SIPDIS 
SENSITIVE 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV KDEM MI
SUBJECT: MALAWI: ELECTORAL COMMISSION CHAIR UPDATES 
AMBASSADOR ON ELECTORAL PROGRESS 
 
REF: LILONGWE 543 
 
LILONGWE 00000667  001.2 OF 002 
 
 
¶1. (SBU) Summary: In a recent meeting with the Ambassador, 
Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) Chairperson Justice 
Anastasia Msosa described the ongoing difficulties with voter 
registration and expected challenges in next May's elections. 
 In particular, Msosa expects challenges to the voters' roll, 
polling procedures, and results due to lack of trust among 
Malawi's main political parties.  On the possibility of a 
civil society-led parallel vote tally, Msosa remained 
supportive, but welcomed international assistance to train 
the monitors and observers who would participate.  Despite 
difficulties, the voter registration process has slipped only 
a few weeks and remains on track to register over 5 million 
people by the end of the year. Comment: While Msosa is viewed 
as impartial by most, circumstances such as the battle over 
the Muluzi nomination will open the MEC up to calls of bias 
and potential rigging.  A strategic investment in building 
domestic observer capacity, including a capable civil-society 
led parallel tally, would significantly improve prospects for 
free, fair, and credible elections in Malawi next May.  End 
Summary. 
 
¶2. (SBU) In an introductory call at the MEC headquarters in 
Blantyre, the Ambassador congratulated MEC chair Justice 
Anastasia Msosa on her recent contract renewal for five more 
years as the MEC chair, commenting that it spoke of her 
impartial leadership in the process.  Msosa, however, 
downplayed the renewal saying it would be too difficult to 
name a new chair at this late stage.  Msosa expressed her 
admiration of the most recent U.S. elections, saying she 
particularly admired the gracious concession speeches of 
losing candidate Sen. McCain and the quick announcement of 
results. 
 
Registration Proceeding Despite Glitches 
----------------------------------------- 
 
¶3.  (SBU) Msosa described the ongoing difficulties with 
Malawi's new "high-tech" voter registration process.  While 
equipment problems (due largely to operator error) dogged 
early voter registration phases, a donation of approximately 
800 new cameras and additional technical support from 
equipment suppliers has given the MEC the capacity to deal 
with breakdowns quickly.  Msosa said the MEC was also dealing 
with human resource problems, such as workers abandoning 
their jobs in mid-phase.  Msosa said  she expected MEC would 
have to resolve numerous challenges to the voters' roll once 
it was released for inspection in March. 
 
¶3. (SBU) Despite these challenges, over 3.5 million Malawians 
have successfully registered as of November 5.  Msosa said 
the MEC still expects over 5 million Malawians to register. 
She noted that the MEC will add a seventh phase to cover 
centers that never opened due to equipment problems, or were 
not open the requisite 14 days.  Msosa agreed with the 
Ambassador's comments that the registration card was now 
serving as a no-cost, de-facto national photo identification 
card, and that this side benefit was driving large numbers to 
register. 
 
¶4. (SBU) As difficult as managing voter registration has 
been, Msosa believed polling and results management would 
prove to be the most difficult tasks she faced.  The MEC has 
not yet announced a results management plan.  The Ambassador 
suggested counting and posting all results at each polling 
station before transmission to a central location to help 
ensure transparency.  Ambassador also inquired about the 
MEC's view of a civil-society led parallel tally (ref A) to 
reduce allegations of foul play.  Msosa remained open to the 
idea, especially if a respected international organization 
could be identified and funded to train domestic observers in 
time.  Msosa continued to cite the lack of training for 
political party observers during registration as a weakness 
in the process.  Msosa suggested that while the major parties 
won't cooperate at high levels, they will work together at 
lower levels on issues such as observer training.  Msosa also 
welcomed international observers, including those from 
diplomatic missions, to help the MEC improve the election 
process. 
 
Between a Rock and a Hard Place on Muluzi 
----------------------------------------- 
 
¶5. (SBU) The Ambassador asked about the status of determining 
former president Muluzi's ability to contest the presidential 
election, but Msosa said the MEC had yet to consider the 
matter.  Msosa said that no matter what decision the MEC 
 
LILONGWE 00000667  002.2 OF 002 
 
 
made, it would be challenged in court.  She added that the 
Constitutional issue of Muluzi's candidacy remains the 
biggest threat to delay next May's polls.  Msosa envisioned a 
scenario where injunctions might prevent printing of the 
ballots until a Constitutional Court rules on the matter. 
While Msosa hinted that the MEC might be able to make a 
preliminary decision if asked by an organization like the 
Malawi Law Society, she felt it would be best for President 
Mutharika to ask the courts for an opinion now so the MEC 
could remain apolitical. 
 
A Little Help Can Go A Long Way 
------------------------------- 
 
¶6. (SBU) Comment: Addition donor support could still make a 
big difference in next May's elections.  International 
observers, especially from a respected U.S.-based 
organization, remain a critical component and will be 
welcomed by the government of Malawi.  In order to have the 
greatest impact, at least some would arrive by March, in time 
to observe the campaigning, polling, and results of the 
elections.  While Msosa continues to be viewed as impartial 
by most political leaders, the MEC's weak organizational 
capacity will still leave it open to criticism and claims of 
rigging.  An investment in training domestic observers, 
particularly with the goal of organizing a parallel tally, 
would yield the greatest benefit, helping the MEC to confirm 
the credibility of the elections in the face of expected 
calls of protest. 
BODDE