In his official opening of the 13th New Commissioners’ Orientation Programme in South Africa, Hon. Andries Carl Nel, Deputy Minister for Justice and Constitutional Development of South Africa, emphasized that “Commissioners are not merely administrators of elections; they are guardians of the people's trust in the electoral process.”
He highlighted the immense responsibility entrusted to Electoral Management Bodies in safeguarding democracy, promoting active citizen participation, and ensuring free, fair, and transparent elections.
Organised by @theECFSADC and @Int_IDEA, and hosted by @IECSouthAfrica. the programme is co-funded by the @EUtoAU through SPEC Project
@AUC_PAPS
At the ongoing NCO Programme, Olufunto Akinduro, Senior Adviser, Electoral Processes at @Int_IDEA, presented on financing elections, highlighting the guiding principles of legality, transparency, effectiveness, and integrity. Commissioners from across the SADC region exchanged experiences on election funding, public procurement, and the risks posed by delayed disbursements and inadequate resources to electoral operations.
The programme is organised by @theECFSADC & @Int_IDEA, hosted by @IECSouthAfrica, and co-funded by the @EUtoAU through the SPEC Project.
@funtydudu
#NCO2026
“Electoral Management Bodies have a central role in conflict prevention and management. While it may not be their primary mandate, the way elections are conducted has direct implications for peace, security, and democratic stability.”
Moderating a panel on The Role of Regional Institutions in Preventive Diplomacy and Electoral Conflict Management at the NCO Programme, Olufunto Akinduro, Senior Adviser, Electoral Processes at @Int_IDEA, highlighted the critical link between electoral processes, political competition, and conflict prevention.
@funtydudu
#NCO2026
A panel discussion on EMB Leadership and Managing Political Pressure, moderated by Gram Matenga, Regional Head of Programmes, Africa and West Asia at @Int_IDEA, explored the challenges and responsibilities of electoral leadership.
Panelists shared experiences and insights on maintaining independence, upholding integrity, and building public trust while navigating complex political environments.
The NCO programme is organised by @theECFSADC & @Int_IDEA, hosted by @IECSouthAfrica, and co-funded by the @EUtoAU through the SPEC Project.
@MatengaG
#NCO2026SA
Day 3 of the New Commissioners’ Orientation Programme commenced with a reflective session facilitated by Hilda B. Modisane, Executive Secretary of ECF-SADC.
Participants shared the values and goals that guide their leadership, highlighting transparency, trust-building, independent Electoral Management Bodies, respect for stakeholders, and the importance of maintaining professional conduct.
They also emphasized leadership grounded in integrity as a cornerstone of credible, inclusive, and democratic electoral processes.
The programme is organised by @theECFSADC & @Int_IDEA, hosted by @IECSouthAfrica, and co-funded by the @EUtoAU through the SPEC Project.
So, we did a thing in South Africa.
🎉🥳 it’s official, the Secretary General, Dr Kevin Casas-Zamora officially launched the Africa and West Asia regional office in Pretoria South Africa.
The launch brought together senior government officials, diplomatic representatives, civil society leaders, and development partners from across Africa and West Asia to mark a defining moment in International IDEA's institutional presence on the continent.
The AWA Regional Office serves as the hub for our democracy support work across the region, working alongside parliaments, electoral institutions, judicial bodies, civil society actors, grassroots organisations, and pro-democracy movements to build inclusive and resilient democracies.
From Nigeria to Kenya, Mozambique to Tunisia, Lesotho to Sierra Leone, the work continues, now with a new regional home.
Congratulations to us. Congratulations to the AWA team.
On day 2 of the 27th AGC of @theECFSADC, Olufunto Akinduro of @Int_IDEA noted key achievements of the IDEA–ECF partnership and work with SADC EMBs. She invited members’ input on future support. The AGC is technically supported by @Int_IDEA via the @EUtoAU funded SPEC project.
At the 26th @theECFSADC AGC, Olufunto Akinduro of @Int_IDEA facilitated a roundtable on AI & Elections. The session explored how AI can transform electoral processes while addressing risks to integrity.
@Int_IDEA provides technical support via the @EUtoAU funded SPEC Project.
🧵2/2 Discussions also explored the 2025 electoral processes and participation trends, the evolving constitutional landscape in Africa, climate security linkages, and @Int_IDEA's engagement with the AU and RECs.
@SwissAddisAbaba
ECONEC is happy to announce the publication of its Policy Paper on Information and Electoral Integrity https://t.co/DmBAZKNxpM
This outcome document from its 2025 symposium was developed within the ECONEC-@IDEA_Africa partnership under the @EUtoAU-funded SPEC Project.
🧵1/1 Olufunto Akinduro from @Int_IDEA, speaking on the panel at #AU_RECsOnElection happening in 🇿🇦, outlined the various forms of support available to EMBs and how they can access assistance from the AU, RECs, and technical partners. Funded by @EUtoAU
through the SPEC Project.
#HappeningNow
Elections are the bedrock of any democracy. It provides the framework for how leadership is chosen, or removed from office. In this session the speakers delve into the litigious nature of contemporary elections, the causes the way forward.
The Expert Validation Meeting on Methodologies for EMB Peer-to-Peer Learning & Data-Driven Approaches for Electoral Integrity in Africa officially opened today @ Addis Ababa. Organized by @AUC_PAPS & @Int_IDEA, via support from the @EUtoAU funded SPEC Project. #electoralintegrity
In her opening remarks, Olufunto Akinduro highlighted how the SPEC Project supports the AU, regional bodies & EMB networks in harmonizing approaches to electoral integrity @ the Expert Validation Meeting org by @AUC_PAPS & @Int_IDEA with support from @EUtoAU funded SPEC project.
Olufunto Akinduro also highlighted International IDEA’s commitment to knowledge production & sharing as a tool to strengthen democracy and promote learning globally. Org by @Int_IDEA & @econec_resao, supported by @EUtoAU funded SPEC project. #InclusionpoliciesinEMBs
Olufunto Akinduro of @Int_IDEA emphasized the need to improve women’s political participation in EMBs at the Regional Dialogue on Gender & Inclusion for EMBs in the ECOWAS region, happening in Dakar. Org by @Int_IDEA & @econec_resao, supported by @EUtoAU funded SPEC project.
@UNDPAfrica, @_AfricanUnion and @Int_IDEA will organize a meeting for women chairpersons of African EMBs on Aug 5-6, 2024 in Accra hosted by the Electoral Commission of Ghana and the Association of African Electoral Authorities. Funded by @EUtoAU@ECGhanaOfficial@UNDPPA