New project aims to harmonise Pan-African electoral capacities

This action was designed drawing on lessons the applicants had learnt from over a decade of supporting the AU and RECs on electoral issues in Africa. 

The project seeks to work primarily with the following boundary partners and target groups: The Department of Political Affairs, Peace, and Security (DPAPS) of the African Union Commission (AUC); the Electoral support Units or Divisions of Regional Economic Communities: East African Community (EAC), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), The Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), The Southern African Development Community (SADC); continental and regional networks/ associations of Electoral Management Bodies (EMBs); continental and regional networks of Conflict and Stabilization Operations-led observer groups; selected EMBs at national level; and electoral support providers including but not limited to UNDP and IFES.

The overall objective of this project is to contribute to improved transparency and credibility of elections in Africa while contributing towards progress in the achievement of SDG 16.6 at the global level.

As an official kick-off of the project, International IDEA organised a kick-off meeting to provide a platform for the European Union, the African Union, implementing partners and final beneficiaries of the programme such as RECs and National Electoral Bodies and Networks to have a better understanding of the projects plans, its objectives, their roles and expectations as well as discuss emerging issues around democracy and elections in Africa. Specifically, the meeting will discuss the context overview of democracy and elections in Africa and how this project will seek to address these issues.