Advancing Electoral Risk Management for EMBs in Africa

This workshop provided a platform for EMBs in Africa to share knowledge and best practices on electoral risk management. The goal was to equip them with the tools and strategies needed for upcoming elections. Participants gained insights into risk identification and management methodologies, learned how to tailor these approaches to their specific contexts, and benefited from peer-to-peer learning among fellow EMBs across the continent.

Representatives from the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Kenya, the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) Botswana, the Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone (ECSL), of Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) and the National Election Board of Ethiopia were present at the workshop.

This workshop was supported by the European Union through the Strengthening Pan-African Capacities for Electoral Observation and Assistance Project. The opening session of the workshop received goodwill messages from Daniele Teccarelli of the European Union Delegation to the African Union and Mrs Melatework Hailu, Chairperson of the National Elections Board of Ethiopia, to set a collaborative tone for the workshop.

The workshop was facilitated by Sead Alihodzic, Principal Advisor for Elections, Conflict, and Risk Management at International IDEA’s global programmes and Olufunto Akinduro, Thematic Lead for Electoral Processes at International IDEA’s Africa regional programme. The participatory two-day workshop covered the following topics: conceptual overview of electoral risk management, background and context of risk management within EMBs, an overview of risk factors, developing a risk framework at EMBs, ERMTool and cases of use during elections, the role of EMBs in protecting elections also featured breakout group sessions on risk identification.

The workshop provided a platform for practical exchanges, peer learning and experience sharing through panels where EMB representatives spoke on their country-specific experiences.  Linus Onyango from Kenya’s Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) and Bafeletse Butale from Botswana’s Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) shared practical insights on the process of developing and adoption a the risk management frameworks within their EMBs, offering practical perspectives on its impact. Commissioner Zainab Umu Moseray from the Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone (ECSL) shared her Commission’s experience with the deployment of the ERM Tool, during the recent 2023 elections, which has proven effective in data collection and documentation of electoral risks. The workshop also provided an opportunity to introduce the recently developed Protecting Elections Framework that emphasizes resilience-building and crisis management methods as a complement to the existing frameworks on electoral risk management. 

This workshop marked a crucial advancement in the dissemination of good practises on electoral risk management across Africa. The discussions and tools shared are expected to contribute towards learning among EMBs, especially those approaching elections in the next two years. The workshop was organised as a first step towards establishment of a regional community of practise on electoral risk management that will continue to support EMBs in their journey towards effective risk management in electoral processes in Africa.