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Project synthesis
The last decade in Southern Africa and in Africa has been characterised by wide ranging political changes allowing most countries in the region to progress steadily towards functional democracies. Elections play a crucial role in this process. Therefore, the professionalism and integrity of key election stakeholders, namely election managers, election observers and, to a certain degree, political parties, must be guaranteed. These call for the implementation of clear and accepted standards for the Principles for Election Management, Monitoring and Observation (PEMMO) as well as the enhancement of the capacity of Election Management Bodies (EMBs) such as independent Election Commissions, and civil society organisations (CSOs).
This project will be developed using experiences from a six year cooperation between EISA and SDC that built and strengthened the capacity of election stakeholders and aided the development and application of PEMMO in the region.
Strategies/Objectives
The overall objective of the programme is to contribute to the deepening of democracy by enhancing the capacity of election stakeholders, including Electoral Management bodies, SADC-ESN Civil Society Organisations and political parties.
The strategic approach of the project is to work on interventions both during and outside of election periods by focusing on enhancing the capacity of election stakeholders to manage, support and monitor election in a sustainable manner.
The specific objectives of the project are:
· To facilitate the entrenchment of the PEMMO amongst election stakeholders;
· To enhance effective civic and voter education campaigns, as well as extend research on and advocacy for electoral issues;
· To develop specialised election observation skills needed to monitor voter registration and audit voters’ rolls and parallel voter tabulation;
· To provide electoral assistance to the election stakeholders for local and national elections across the region;
· To enhance the capacity of political parties to monitor election processes efficiently and effectively in order to reduce disagreement on the processes and their outcomes.
Stakeholders and Beneficiaries
Electoral stakeholders including civil organisations active in areas of election, Electoral Management Bodies (EMB), Independent Electoral Commissions (IEC), and political parties constitute the immediate beneficiaries of the project.
The knowledge generated through EISA work will be fed into and disseminated by the regional electoral networks (SADC Electoral Support Network ESN) and the Global Knowledge Network (ACE), where EISA is the regional partner organisation for Africa.
Partner
EISA is a non-governmental, not for profit organisation, established in 1996, based in Johannesburg, South Africa. Its mission is to strengthen electoral processes, good governance, human rights and democratic values through research, capacity building, advocacy and other targeted interventions. The Institute has built an internationally recognized centre for policy, research and information. It provides this service to governments, electoral commissions, political parties, civil society organisations and other institutions operating in the democracy and governance fields throughout the SADC region and beyond.
Project duration and Funding
SDC’s contribution to the project over a period of four years (October 2006 to September 2010) is CHF 1,700,000, ca. 25 % of the total budget of ca.
CHF 6,727,000.
Geographical area
In this four year project, EISA focuses on election stakeholders in the SADC region.
Contact address
The Electoral Institute of Southern Africa EISA
14 Park Road ∙ Richmond ∙ 2092
P.O. Box 740 ∙ Auckland Park 2006
Johannesburg South Africa
Phone (+2711) 482 5495
Fax (+2711) 482 6163
Email: eisa@eisa.org.za
Website: www.eisa.org.za
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