Introduction to Electoral Administration and Electoral Observation

The Integrated Electoral Support Group (IESG) of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia implemented a BRIDGE customized workshop, Introduction to Electoral Administration and Electoral Observation. The workshop was conducted in Mogadishu, from 20th -23rd May 2024. It was organized by BRIDGE IESG facilitators Fifteen IESG staff from HQ and FO participated the workshop.

The workshop aimed to enhance the participants understanding of different electoral systems and their significance in promoting inclusivity and representation, and on how to introduce the concepts and principles of electoral observation throughout the electoral cycle.

The workshop learning objectives were:

·      To introduce the main principles of electoral system design.

·      To explore electoral standards and the significance of international obligations and good practices.

·      To explore opportunities for promoting of promoting women participation and understand the impact of Temporary Special Measures TSM on inclusion of women in the electoral process.

·      To explore different types, structure, and methodology of observation missions.

The workshop was opened, and participants welcomed by the UN IESG Senior Electoral Officer, Marc Dickinson. The workshop covered various electoral topics, including international standard and obligations of elections, principles of electoral system design, TSM and women representation, electoral observation types, structures, methodologies, state obligations, technology and observation, inclusion of the gender perspective and context challenges.

Participants liked the BRIDGE learning methodology, the format of the sessions and training techniques. Participants were asked to provide their feedback through daily online evaluation forms. Daily verbal recap was conducted by the beginning of second day. In a nutshell participants appreciated the efforts of the facilitators, the content, and the approach of the course. They also highlighted on the recap forms that the facilitators were dynamic, and managed to easily engage participants in groupwork activities in spite of the complexity of some topics such as electoral systems.

The workshop was interactive, all participants had the space to discuss and share their knowledge, thoughts and experiences, and therefore an active participatory environment was present during the sessions.

In the last day verbal evaluation, participants expressed their willingness to participate in more Bridge workshops, and some showed interest in attending a TtF course so they can join the bridge facilitators family. Facilitators thought more time was required to cover some of the topics and dive in depth with a wider range of information. Participants said that the training met its objectives, and it was useful and successful. They also commended the facilitators and the IESG management for their hard work to provide this opportunity and hoped that similar learning experiences will take place in the future.

At the end of the workshop all participants were awarded the certificates of completion of the modular workshop. Two TtF complete facilitators were upgraded after their hard work to become workshop facilitators.