MISA Malawi Vice Chairperson Mandy Pondani is in Zambia for General Elections observation.
Pondani is part of a six-member MISA Regional Mission observing media and freedom of expression landscape during that country’s General Elections.
Zambians are voting to elect the President and members of the National Assembly Thursday, August 12, 2021.
Top of MISA observation mission agenda is freedom of expression, more especially online, as governments in the region continue to pass Cyber Security laws that are tightening noose on free speech.
“Zambia passed some laws that are likely to impact on the freedom of expression and the work of the media during elections. I am eager to see how that plays out,” Pondani said.
She also said the mission is an opportunity for MISA Malawi to learn how the media in Zambia covers elections in comparison with the situation in Malawi.
“I also hope to learn how MISA Zambia and the media in general have worked to promote the participation of women and minorities in the election. It will also be interesting to learn the levels of media literacy in relation to elections,” she said.
MISA Regional Governing Council (RGC) Chairperson Golden Maunganidze is leading MISA representatives from MISA Malawi, MISA Mozambique, MISA Tanzania and MISA Zimbabwe.
MISA will submit its report and recommendations to the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information in Africa, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Secretariat, the African Union and United Nations.
