AU-RECs Reflection and Coordination Meeting on Electoral Processes in Africa

This event aims to provide a platform for the African Union (AU), Regional Economic Communities (RECs), and Election Management Bodies (EMBs) to reflect on the trends and challenges emerging from the elections that were held across Africa in 2024. It will also allow these stakeholders to share insights and plan joint interventions for improving electoral processes in the lead-up to the elections scheduled for 2025 and 2026.

In 2024, there were 17 national elections conducted in Africa, with good practices, lessons and challenges, emerging around some issues, such as the increasing influence of technology, the influence of unregulated money in politics, fast evolution of issues around the information environment, political polarization, and concerns over voter turnout. These emerging issues will inform the discussions and interventions around the upcoming electoral processes in Africa.  

With 12 national elections scheduled in 2025 and 13 national elections in 2026 across Africa, this reflection meeting will be pivotal in identifying the technical support and reforms needed to address the challenges envisaged based on lessons from previous elections. The AU, RECs and EMB networks will discuss how to harmonize their approaches to technical assistance, provide guidance to EMBs, and ensure the continued progress of democratic governance on the continent.

The reflection meeting will bring together representatives of EMBs in countries that will be holding elections in 2025 and 2026, the AU Commission, technical partners of the AU, and RECs and EMB Network secretariats. By reflecting on past elections and preparing for upcoming ones, this event will contribute to improved coordination among regional institutions on electoral engagements and the overall integrity of electoral processes in Africa.

This reflection and technical meeting is being implemented within the framework of International IDEA’s memorandum of understanding with the African Union, with financial support from the EU-funded Strengthening pan-African capacities for electoral observation and assistance (SPEC) project,

Contact persons:

For International IDEA: Olufunto Akinduro (O.Akinduro@idea.int) and Vera Muring (V.Muring@idea.int)  
For the AU: Tawanda Chimhini (ChimhiniT@africa-union.org) and Hiwot Debebe (Hiwotd@africa-union.org)