A two-day international electoral forum on “Building Resilience of Electoral Management Bodies to Safeguard Democracy in Africa” has concluded in Maputo, Mozambique, with a call to African leaders of electoral management bodies to map out novel policy pathways and doable actions for preserving the management of credible, peaceful, and democratic electoral processes on the continent.
In order to respond to risks or protections in an electoral cycle, the forum wants election management organizations to become robust by addressing adaptive leadership in a changing context.
According to a report from Maputo, the conference included the chairperson of the National Elections Commission of Liberia, Madam Davidetta Browne Lansanah, as well as other senior officials of election administration agencies from AU member states. On November 14 and 15, 2022, the 7th annual continental forum of electoral management bodies was held.
As part of its goal to improve democratic and participatory government in Africa, the Department of Political Affairs, Peace, and Security (DPARS) of the African Union Commission (AUC) hosted the forum in partnership with the Association of African Electoral Authorities (AAEA). The forum provided an opportunity for EMBs and other important electoral stakeholders on the continent to exchange experiences and learn from one another about how to strengthen EMB institutional resilience in the continent’s increasingly complex political, sociocultural, economic, technological, and security contexts.
According to a statement from the NEC, the Chairperson of the Ghanaian Electoral Commission, Madam Jean Mensah, continued to serve as President of the Executive Committee following the conclusion of the Association of African Electoral Authorities’ (AAEA) 10th General Assembly on November 16, 2022, and the Chairperson of the Mozambique Electoral Commission was chosen to serve as the General Assembly’s President.
The General Assembly decided to increase the Association of African Electoral Authorities’ institutional capabilities, pinpoint prime opportunities for collaboration, and support EMBs through solidarity missions during member countries’ elections.
Reported by: Augustine Octavius
Contact: +231777463963
Email: augustineoctavius@gmail.com
