“Conceptually, elections symbolize popular sovereignty' and the expression of the 'social pact" between the state and the people which defines the basis of political authority', legitimacy and citizens’ obligations. It is the kernel of political accountability and a means of ensuring reciprocity and exchange between the governors and the governed.... Further, elections typify' the representation ofpopular demands and a basisfor leadership recruitment and socialization ... Renewal in democratic systems usually occur via elections. Any political system which does not undergo such, will ultimately atrophise and suffer decay. In other words, elections constitute perhaps, the most important element in the conception and practice of liberal democracy". On the same subject, Staffan Lindberg, in his book “Democracy and Elections in Africa", The John Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, 2006, 1 says- “ While there are many views on what democracy is - or ought to be - a common denominator among modern democracies is elections ... But elections are also and more importantly an institutionalized attempt to actualize the essence of democracy: rule of the people by the people. Every modern definition of representative democracy includes participatory and contested elections perceived as the legitimate procedure for the translation of the rule by the people into workable executive and legislative power...". Like everywhere else, elections are central to our constitutional and democratic order; particularly relevant to spur the trust and confidence of those that our Government serves. Indeed, our Constitution is founded upon, among others, the underlying and fundamental principle that "all legal and political author ity of the State derives from the people of Malawi and shall be exercised in accordance with the Constitution solely to 5