UK (Commonwealth Union)_ Election management professionals in African nations are now better equipped to enhance the credibility, transparency, and inclusiveness of electoral processes as a result of the recent five-day Commonwealth Election Professionals (CEP) training course conducted in Cape Town. The comprehensive program covered various topics, including fundamental principles, legal and electoral frameworks, electoral technology, result management, stakeholder engagement, and communications and crisis management.
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This training initiative marked a decade of the Commonwealth Junior Election Professionals, later expanded into the Commonwealth Election Professionals initiative. Over the years, electoral administrators across the Commonwealth, including Africa, Asia, the Caribbean & Americas, and the Pacific regions, have benefited from professional development opportunities, knowledge exchange, and peer support. During the training, participants had the opportunity to exchange experiences and learn from each other. Mandume Nghishekwa from the Electoral Commission of Namibia emphasized the importance of sharing experiences in increasing effectiveness and impact, while George Kaminga, a district election officer with the Malawi Electoral Commission, looked forward to applying his new skills, especially in engaging with stakeholders.
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So far, more than 275 electoral administrators throughout the Commonwealth regions have undergone the CEP’s principles-based training, aiming to enable them to conduct more credible, transparent, and inclusive electoral processes that garner the confidence and trust of stakeholders. The training program, co-hosted by the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) of South Africa, focused on the theme, “Strengthening confidence and trust in the results management process.” Lehlohonolo Suping from the Independent Electoral Commission of Lesotho highlighted how the training would contribute to reducing conflict and tension surrounding critical results management processes.
Mr. Mosotho Moepya, the host and chairperson of the Electoral Commission of South Africa, addressed the participants and shared insights into their decision-making process after apartheid. Since 1994, all elections in South Africa have employed voting-station-based counting to isolate and contain any issues, ensuring the integrity of the electoral process. Moepya emphasized the accessibility of complaint procedures and the Electoral Court’s role in reviewing or appealing decisions, promoting transparency and accountability.
Moepya stated, “Since 1994, all elections have utilised voting-station-based counting, as a method of isolating any issues, and containing any contamination of results. Anyone can complain to the Electoral Commission. If, after their complaint has been considered, the person remains aggrieved, they can ask the Electoral Court to review or appeal the Commission’s decision.” The CEP, funded by Australia, serves as a multi-year project offering professional development opportunities to election professionals within electoral management bodies across Commonwealth member countries.
