By Burnett Munthali

Chisankho Watch has announced that it will observe the September 16 General Elections using a Process and Results Verification for Transparency (PRVT) method.

The PRVT approach is designed to enhance the credibility, integrity, and transparency of the electoral process.

Chisankho Watch board chairperson, Gilford Matonga, made this announcement today during a meeting with civil society organizations and members of the media in Lilongwe.

Matonga explained that the PRVT initiative is intended to independently verify and evaluate the electoral processes, including the outcomes or results of the general elections.

He said that on election day, Chisankho Watch will employ a centralized incident reporting system to capture and report electoral irregularities to relevant stakeholders as they occur.

In addition, Matonga stated that the group will establish an Election Situation Room near its Data Center to coordinate observations and manage real-time reporting.

He further indicated that Chisankho Watch will tabulate results from sampled polling stations and compare them against official results to ensure accuracy and identify discrepancies.

This effort is part of the organization’s broader commitment to promoting transparency and accountability in Malawi’s electoral process.

Concluding Analysis

Chisankho Watch’s adoption of the PRVT method reflects an increasing reliance on independent oversight to safeguard democratic processes.

By combining real-time incident reporting, centralized data coordination, and cross-checking of results, the initiative seeks to bolster public confidence in the credibility of the September 16 elections.

Such measures underscore the critical role of civil society in ensuring that elections are free, fair, and transparent, reinforcing Malawi’s democratic institutions and practices.