MALAWI Part 1: Requests for written information n = 20 Yes No Additional Information • 1.Is there an official designated to take and respond to information requests? (Please state title of officials in ‘Additional Information’) The Public Relations Officer (PRO). 2. Did the institution reply within 21 days? (If less than 7 please state in ‘Additional Information’) • 3. Did the Institution respond to a request for information? • • 4. Does the authority publish its procedures for dealing with information requests? The National Assembly asked for an electronic copy of the questionnaire, which was not responded to. The National Assembly is one of the two institutions sampled in the 2013 study within website. And all procedures about requesting information is found on http://www.parliament. gov.mw/index.php 5. Did the institution provide all of the information requested? (If partially please mark ‘No’, indicate in ‘Additional Information’ how much of the information requested was supplied) • The Assembly’s PRO did not respond to neither the written nor the oral request for information until the study period ended. And there is no policy that directs the requests for information. 6. Did the institution provide written reasons for the refusal of information? (If information was not refused, please contact the institution to find out what the policy is in this regard –if the institution supplies written reasons for refusal mark ‘Yes’) • The procedure for accessing information at the Assembly is through the PRO, but during the study period the PRO kept on promising that he would respond to the questionnaire until the study period elapsed. 7. Did the institution disclose information about its operations, budgets, structure etc. • 8. Did the authority provide information without questioning the aims and motivations of the applicant? • 9. Did the institution acknowledge your request for information within 7 days? • 10. Was the information received clear and understandable? • Total Score: 4/20 Part 2: Oral request for information n = 20 1. Is there an official designated to take and respond to information requests? (Please state title of officials in ‘Additional Information’) Yes No Additional Information • The Public Relations Officer • 2. Did the institution reply within 21 days? (If less than 7 please state in ‘Additional Information’) The National Assembly wanted a soft copy to respond to and not the oral interview. 3. Did the institution respond to your oral request for information? 4. Did the person dealing with your request have a friendly and helpful attitude? • 5. Did officials provide reasonable advice and assistance when seeking information • 6. Did the institution provide all of the information requested? (If partially please mark ‘No’ and indicate in ‘Additional Information’ how much of the information requested was supplied) • 7. Did the institution provide written reasons for the refusal of information? (If information was not refused, please contact the institution to find out what the policy is in this regard –if the institution supplies written reasons for refusal mark ‘Yes’) • 8. Did the institution disclose information about its operations, budgets, structure etc? • 9. Did the institution acknowledge your request for information within 7 days? • 10. Was the information received clear and understandable? • Total Score: 6/20 37