§ Mr. HunterTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to encourage independent international monitoring of next year's presidential and parliamentary elections in Malawi. [55198]
§ Mr. Tony LloydThe success of next year's elections will be important in consolidating multi-party democracy in Malawi.
We have been monitoring developments in the run up to the elections, working closely with the Electoral Commission, and will continue to do so. We will encourage independent international monitoring should the Electoral Commission, and all political parties involved, agree that it is desirable.
In the meantime, we shall be funding an adviser to the Chief Elections Officer.