Introduction to Electoral Administration

The United Nations Integrated Electoral Assistance Team (IEAT) in South Sudan implemented a four-day BRIDGE modular workshop, Introduction to Electoral Administration, for State High Election Committee (SHEC) members.

The workshops, conducted in Juba, South Sudan from October 1-4 2024, was led by BRIDGE facilitators Natia Kashakashvili and Shalva Tskhakaya and co-facilitated by national TtF-complete facilitators: Nyilueth Malou Malek, Margret Akon Isaiah Majok, Majur Stephen Dhal and Ahon Malou Lueth Makeny. Twenty-six participants (3 female and 23 male) attended the workshop.

The workshop aimed to provide participants with a foundational understanding of electoral administration, emphasizing widely accepted standards, principles, and management techniques necessary for effective electoral practices. It focused on building knowledge of core electoral processes – such as boundary delimitation, voter registration, candidate nomination, voting, counting, and result management – while ensuring these processes are transparent, accurate, and credible. Additionally, the workshop aimed to enhance participants’ ability to conduct effective operational planning, promoting accountability, inclusion, and risk mitigation in election management.

The workshop was opened by the representatives of UN IEAT and the National Elections Commission of the Republic of South Sudan. Participants enjoyed the workshop, BRIDGE learning methodology and training techniques. They provided feedback at the end of each day on the content as well as the conduct of the workshop through verbal and written evaluations. Key points of the written evaluation forms are outlined below:

The workshop on election processes provided valuable and insightful learning experiences for participants. Some of the most useful aspects highlighted include:

1. Specific Topics of Interest: Participants found sessions on the electoral cycle and international principles of elections highly informative, with many appreciating the practical application of these principles and how they could guide election management bodies (EMBs) in avoiding mistakes and improving election administration. Topics such as election security, candidate nomination, voter registration, and the guiding principles of election operations were noted as particularly useful. The sessions on recruitment, training election-day staff, and the steps for counting votes were also deemed very beneficial.
2. Group Participation and Interaction: Active participation and interaction between participants and facilitators were praised. Group work was particularly effective, making complex topics easier to understand, while role-playing and discussions on scenarios like candidate nomination deepened the learning experience.
3. Methodology and Facilitation: The methodology and techniques used by the facilitators were well-received, described as engaging, enjoyable, and educational. The strategy of dividing participants into groups and using exercises helped in cementing key concepts such as voter registration and the electoral legal framework.
4. Comparative Learning: Many participants found the comparative learning aspect, which involved analyzing election models from other countries, very educative. This approach allowed participants to gain insights into best practices and various election management strategies.

Comments and Recommendations for Improvement:

• Duration of the Course: Numerous participants recommended extending the course duration from four days to at least seven or even up to two weeks. The short duration made it difficult to cover all topics thoroughly.
• South Sudan Context: Several participants expressed a desire for more content specific to the South Sudan legal framework and the local electoral context. They also recommended further explanation of complex topics, such as the principles of elections and voter registration systems.
• Continued Training and Refresher Courses: Many participants recommended ongoing training, particularly refresher courses to be held closer to the election period. They suggested conducting similar workshops every few months to enhance the readiness of the electoral management bodies.
• More Time for Group Work and Presentations: Participants requested more time for group work and presentations, as these sessions were particularly effective in reinforcing learning.
• Additional Modules and Skills: There were calls for more in-depth training on managing the electoral processes.

Other Feedback: Participants appreciated the facilitators’ expertise and expressed satisfaction with the content and conduct of the sessions. They hoped that similar workshops would continue and recommended holding these sessions in various states for broader impact. The course was seen as educative, relevant, and well-organized, with many participants advocating for longer sessions to ensure thorough coverage of all topics.

The workshop was closed by the representatives of UN IEAT and the NEC. All the participants were awarded certificates of completion.