Introduction to Electoral Administration

The United Nations Integrated Electoral Assistance Team (UN IEAT) in South Sudan successfully conducted a comprehensive 3-day BRIDGE modular workshop, on “Introduction to Electoral Administration”. The workshop took place in the Eastern Equatorial town of Torit from May 28 to May 30 May 2024. The training aimed at enhancing the electoral knowledge of a diverse group of participants on key standards, principles and election management techniques that are fundamental to effective electoral practice throughout the electoral cycle. The BRIDGE workshop was facilitated by Tomsie Dlamini, Katia Madanat and Taona Mwanyisa.

A total of twenty-four participants made up of eight (8) women and sixteen (16) men were engaged in a series of interactive sessions, which included one female participant with a physical impairment. The training brought together a diverse group of electoral stakeholders from the National Elections Commission (NEC), Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), the media, government and academia. This diversity allowed participants to benefit from the varied perspectives, experiences, and expertise that each sector brings to the table. Participants from different sectors contributed unique viewpoints and insights, enriching the discussions and leading to a more comprehensive understanding of the issues at hand. This diversity fostered a deeper and more nuanced exploration of topics.

Additionally, the selection of participants facilitated cross-sectoral learning, enabling individuals to network outside their usual areas of operation. Participants from practical fields like the NEC and CSOs provided real-world examples and case studies, making the discussions more grounded and applicable. The diversity of the group enhanced knowledge sharing, promoted inclusivity, and ensured that discussions were rooted in real-world applications. This diversity ultimately led to more effective and impactful BRIDGE training in Torit.

Key areas of focus included:

• Exploring electoral standards and the significance of international obligations and good practices.
• Exploring the nature and purpose of the legal framework and how it is applied in the electoral context.
• Introducing the main principles of electoral system design.
• Exploring various models of EMBs, their functions and guiding principles.
• Exploring opportunities for promoting equal access to electoral processes.
• Introducing concepts and methodologies of electoral operational planning as a management tool.
• Discussing rationale and importance of voter and civic education programmes.

There was great appreciation of the workshop among the participants with some encouraging the extension of the training beyond this current group.