BRIDGE Workshop on Introduction to Election Administration

The UN integrated Electoral Assistance Team within the broader UN Mission to South Sudan(UNMISS), implemented 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 execution of their respective roles during the electoral process.

The Workshop was facilitated by three BRIDGE facilitators Utloile Silaigwana, Aiah Mattia, and Cherer Shaffo. It took place from 14-16 2024, in Malakal South Sudan attracting a total of 24 participants representing various stakeholder attended (10 women and 14 men): 1 – NEC, 12 – CSOs, 7 – Government -and 4 UN Electoral Assistance Team from the Malakal field office.

 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

Participants found the training immensely valuable to their roles as electoral practitioners. They commended the facilitators for delivering a well-planned and engaging program that effectively met its objectives. Many participants highlighted the structured and systematic approach of the training, which facilitated a comprehensive understanding of complex electoral processes. The facilitators’ ability to break down complex concepts into simple, relatable terms, and their efforts to connect these concepts to the local context, significantly enhanced participants’ learning experiences.

Furthermore, the interactive nature of the training, characterized by group work and presentations, was particularly praised. These methods not only kept participants actively engaged but also promoted long-term knowledge retention and fostered a collaborative learning environment. The opportunity to share and learn from the electoral administration practices of other countries added a valuable comparative perspective, enriching the overall experience.

Participants expressed that the informative presentations were both insightful and practical, providing them with actionable knowledge that they could directly apply in their professional roles. The active participation and knowledge sharing encouraged by the interactive approach also contributed to a deeper understanding and a more dynamic learning atmosphere.

While some participants suggested that more time would be beneficial to cover the extensive information, they also emphasized the potential advantages of additional BRIDGE workshops in the future. Many described the training as not only meeting but exceeding their expectations, with some going as far as to call it the best learning experience they had ever had. This high level of satisfaction underscores the program’s success in delivering valuable, relevant, and engaging training to electoral practitioners.

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