| Overview : The Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) is a body created under Section 75 of the Constitution of the Republic of Malawi to supervise and direct the conduct of all elections in Malawi i.e. Parliamentary, Presidential, By-elections, Local Government and Referenda. The Commission conducts these elections in line with the provisions of the Constitution of the Republic of Malawi, Parliamentary and Presidential Elections Act No.31 of 1993 (PPEA), Local Government Elections Act No.24 of 1996 and Electoral Commission Act No.11 of 1998 (ECA). The Commission has adopted an electoral cycle approach to implementing election activities thereby prompting it to develop a plan that seeks to provide strategic direction in the implementation of electoral activities focusing on the Pre, During and Post elections. The current strategic plan runs from January 2013 to December 2017. In view of the electoral cycle philosophy, the Commission is planning to develop a new strategic plan that will run from January 2018 to December 2022 to ensure seamless strategic direction to its activities especially in preparation for the 2019 Tripartite Elections. The new strategic plan will also provide strategic direction in resource mobilization, strengthening stakeholder relations, compiling a comprehensive and accurate voters’ register, building vibrant civil society organizations that are able to provide adequate and cost effective civic education, strengthening the financial systems, technical staff capacity building as well as acquisition of modern equipment. The Commission, therefore, seeks to engage two consultants (one international and one local) who will work with the Commissioners and staff to develop a strategic plan that will guide in the implementation of activities with a focus on the above-mentioned areas. This activity will be implemented under the Malawi Electoral Cycle Support (MECS) Programme 2017-2019 which is a basket fund pooling resources from various development partners and is managed by UNDP. The MECS Project contributes directly to the SDG 16 goal of ensuring responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels. The Project is structured around four outputs: (1) The MEC is trusted by the public and political parties as an impartial entity possessing the capacity to administer and manage elections in accordance with regional and international obligations; (2) Women’s political empowerment throughout the electoral cycle is strengthened; (3) Enhanced ability of key stakeholders, including political parties, to contribute to orderly and inclusive elections; and (4) Effective and efficient management, partnership formation and monitoring and evaluation of the Project. | 
