BRIDGE Modular Workshop on Introduction to Electoral Administration

The UN integrated Electoral Assistance Team within the broader UN Mission to South Sudan (UNMISS) continued to implement a three-day BRIDGE workshop for several key election stakeholders in South Sudan. The overarching goal of this module workshop was to strengthen the capacity of members of the National Election Commission, CSOs, media, and other stakeholders, supporting them in the execution of their respective roles during the electoral process.

The Workshop was conducted by three BRIDGE facilitators, Cherer Shaffo, Utloile Silaigwana, and Aiah Mattia. It took place from May 21–23, 2024, and attracted a total of 26 participants representing various stakeholders (8 women and 18 men): 1 SHEC, 18 CSOs, 3 government, and 4 UN EAT.

 The Workshop aimed to enhance understanding of key electoral standards, principles, and management techniques. The objectives included:

– Exploring electoral standards and international obligations.

– Understanding the legal framework in the electoral context.

– Learning the main principles of electoral system design.

– Examining various EMB models and their functions.

– Promoting equal access to electoral processes.

– Introducing electoral operational planning methodologies.

– Discussing the importance of voter and civic education programs

The BRIDGE Workshop that is being implemented in South Sudan has consistently received positive and encouraging feedback from participants. During the workshop held in Bentiu, several participants expressed that they found the training to be exceptionally beneficial for their roles as electoral practitioners. Many attendees highlighted the training’s structured and systematic approach, which significantly aided them in gaining a comprehensive understanding of complex electoral processes. The workshop’s interactive nature, which included group work and presentations, was particularly praised. These interactive methods not only kept participants actively engaged throughout the training but also greatly enhanced long-term knowledge retention and fostered a collaborative learning environment. The opportunity for participants to engage in discussions and share their experiences further enriched the learning process, making the training both practical and insightful for their professional development. Participants also praised the facilitators for executing a well-organized and engaging program that successfully achieved its goals.

Similar to previous BRIDGE workshops in South Sudan, participants in Bentiu also suggested that extending the duration of the training sessions would be beneficial to adequately cover the extensive information presented. They also emphasized the potential advantages of organizing additional BRIDGE workshops in the future. Participants expressed that having more time would allow for a deeper exploration of the topics and a more thorough understanding of the material. Despite this, many participants described the training as having exceeded their expectations. The overwhelmingly positive feedback underscores the program’s success in delivering training that is not only valuable and relevant but also highly engaging for electoral practitioners. The high level of satisfaction among participants reflects the effectiveness of the BRIDGE program in meeting the professional development needs of those involved in electoral processes.

At the end of the Workshop, all participants were awarded certificates of completion of the modular workshop.