Introduction to Electoral Administration for Polynesia EMBs

A BRIDGE workshop on Introduction to Electoral Administration module workshop was conducted for Polynesian Election Management Bodies (EMBs) from 5 to 7 November 2024. A total of twenty-eight representatives, from the Cook Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Samoa, Tokelau, New Zealand EMB members and key stakeholders gathered at the Lava Hotel conference room in a three-day interactive program to discuss electoral standards, principles and management techniques on elections. The workshop was supported by the UNDP Samoa Country Office in collaboration with the Pacific Islands, Australia, and New Zealand Electoral Administrators (PIANZEA) network.

Participants expressed positive engagement and enjoyed sessions throughout the program. Their oral and written feedback highlighted the welcoming atmosphere and interactive learning methods. Many attendees, particularly those new to the electoral field, noted how much they learned about elections and appreciated hearing about approaches to electoral processes from other small island states and a few pointed out the importance of having inclusion in all electoral processes. A participant stated, “Collaboration and working closely with stakeholders will help us achieve our goals and objectives.” Having this workshop helped participants to identify gaps in their electoral processes and guide them to discuss strategies when they get back to their workplace.

Beyond the constructive discussions and sharing similar sentiments around electoral processes, participants were able to build networks and friendships amongst themselves.

The facilitation team included Accrediting Facilitators; Yvonne Goudie and Asenaca Kolinivala, and two TtF Complete colleagues from the Office of the Electoral Commission, Samoa who both achieved full accreditation as BRIDGE Workshop Facilitators at the end of the workshop. As highlighted by one of the TtF Complete facilitators:

‘We were given the opportunity to think creatively and able to participate freely in our session activities. This allowed us to connect with other participants, exchanging ideas on mechanisms, approaches, challenges, and strategies to enhance our electoral processes across the Polynesia sub-region.

First Tokelauan To Attend a BRIDGE Workshop

About Tokelau

 Tokelau is a Polynesian archipelago in the Pacific Ocean, and its people are a Polynesian ethnic group. Tokelau is a non-self-governing territory of New Zealand. Its leadership and capital rotates yearly between its three coral atolls, Atafu, Nukunonu and Fakaofo. The population of Tokelau is about 2,000 and it is one of the smallest territories in the world (after Vatican City).

About Tokelau Elections

National elections in Tokelau are managed by the independent Tokelau Elections Office, headed by a Chief Electoral Officer. The last Tokelau National Election was conducted in January 2023, simultaneously on all 3 islands and in Apia, Samoa. The National Election was conducted in accordance with the Tokelau National Election Rules 2022 and the National Election Procedural Instructions. A preferential voting system was used, so that voters could cast their votes for all seats at the one time,

About Sophie Tyrell-Saumani

 Sophie, a member of the Village Election Committee in Tokelau, was the only Tokelauan participant in the November 2024 BRIDGE workshop in Samoa, and the first Tokelauan to attend any BRIDGE workshop. Due to limited boat connections and infrequent departures (and no flights to and from Tokelau), she travelled over a week before the workshop started. The journey from Tokelau to Samoa takes 24–30 hours. During her extended stay, Sophie was invited to work at the Office of the Electoral Office in Samoa. Sophie explained some of the challenges for conducting elections in Tokelau, and mentioned some reforms she would like to see implemented, including some that were inspired by her learnings at the BRIDGE workshop.

Sophie was asked what she enjoyed about the BRIDGE workshop. To paraphrase, she said the workshop was highly enjoyable, with highlights including the well-chosen setting, the engaging BRIDGE facilitators who fostered knowledge exchange among participants, and the casual, friendly environment.

Sophie was also asked what key learnings she took away from the workshop.

These are a few of her key learnings:

– Knowing the key concept of democracy and recognise some of the values essentially connected with the way we organise our society

– Identifying potential functions of the electoral process

– Outlining ethical behaviour which is important to election administration and identifying elements of good governance

– Identifying, analysing the different types and the potential functions of the electoral systems

– Identifying the potential roles of an Electoral Management Body and can have many structures and functions

– Explaining why it is important to register voters and drawing boundaries and the possible guiding principles

– Knowing the Electoral Cycle, and the main components of operational planning

– Analysing the use of project management techniques in planning an electoral event and the execution of a successful managed election

– Identifying categories of people with special needs relating to their access to electoral processes and identifying workplace diversity principles and good practices relating to ‘reasonable accommodation’

– Analysing strategies for meeting the electoral information and education and education needs of all stakeholders in the electoral process

– Identifying the accepted international principles of elections, different definitions and criteria for free and fair elections and to explain the importance of trust in administering credible elections

The UNDP organisers and facilitators are thrilled that Sophie found the Introduction module of the BRIDGE workshop both enjoyable and beneficial for her role. Her detailed list of learnings highlights the significant value of BRIDGE workshops in fostering knowledge sharing and building regional peer networks.