The Research, Monitoring and Evaluation (RME) Division was established in January 2022 as part of the Malawi Electoral Commission’s (MEC) ongoing institutional reforms to strengthen evidence-based planning, performance monitoring, and learning. The Division was created to coordinate and spearhead all corporate planning, monitoring and evaluation, research, and documentation activities across the Commission. It plays a central role in ensuring that MEC’s operations, strategies, and electoral processes are data-driven, transparent, and continuously improved through systematic learning.

The Division operates under the policy direction and supervision of the Research, Monitoring and Evaluation Committee (RMEC)—a subcommittee of the Commission responsible for providing strategic oversight and guidance. This ensures that all research and evaluation work is aligned with MEC’s legal mandate and contributes directly to the institution’s mission of managing credible, inclusive, and transparent elections.

General Objectives

• The RME Division’s overall purpose is to strengthen the Commission’s performance through continuous learning, accountability, and reform. Specifically, its objectives are to:
• Assist the Commission in the promotion and conduct of research on electoral matters and related governance issues;
• Monitor and evaluate electoral programmes and institutional activities to assess their efficiency, effectiveness, and impact;
• Publish and disseminate research findings and analytical reports, in line with Section 8(1)(k) of the Electoral Commission Act, which mandates MEC to publish research results; and
• Promote evidence-based reform processes to ensure that institutional changes and electoral improvements are grounded in data and lessons learned.

Key Functions

The RME Division performs a wide range of interconnected functions that make it the central hub for institutional knowledge and strategic oversight within MEC. These include:

• Providing research and documentation services, ensuring that all studies, evaluations, and findings are properly recorded and accessible;
• Conducting monitoring and evaluation (M&E) of programmes to track progress against set objectives, timelines, and budgets;
• Coordinating the development of organisational policies and strategies, ensuring coherence across departments;
• Leading planning and budget development processes to align resources with strategic priorities;
• Managing knowledge and learning systems, including maintaining MEC’s databank and statistics;
• Initiating and promoting evidence-based reform processes that guide institutional development;

• Overseeing the application of the Strategic Plan, identifying implementation risks, and advising management on corrective measures; and
• Supporting the Commission in conducting the mid-term review of its Strategic Plan and ensuring follow-up on recommendations.
• Through these roles, the Division enhances MEC’s institutional accountability, transparency, and adaptability—key pillars of good governance and effective election management.

Key Activities

To fulfil its mandate, the RME Division undertakes several key activities, including:

• Development and monitoring of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to measure the effectiveness of MEC programmes and activities;
• Conducting policy research and analysis to inform strategic and operational decisions;
• Formulation, initiation, and coordination of institutional policies and strategies;
• Acting as the custodian of MEC’s data and statistics, maintaining an updated and centralised database;
• Leading institutional and partner reporting processes;
• Facilitating the validation of baseline study reports to ensure data accuracy and reliability;
• Finalising the development of a Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Plan to guide performance tracking across all departments;
• Coordinating the development of the Automated Transaction Monitoring and Evaluation System (ATMES) to digitalise data collection and analysis;
• Planning and coordinating quarterly review meetings, such as the April–June performance review; and
• Providing technical support to local government by-elections, ensuring proper data documentation, monitoring, and post-election evaluations.