| Election Management Capacity Building Program |
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| Last updated 2016-12-22 |
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(2016. 12. 12._Group picture of the delegates from Afghanistan, Albania, Indonesia, Iraq, Kosovo, Mexico, Peru, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Suriname and Uganda)
From December 12th to 16th, 2016, the Association of World Election Bodies (A-WEB) hosted this year’s last Election Management Capacity Building Program in Incheon, Korea. With 25 participants from 11 countries, this program was the most diverse yet. The week was filled with lectures, field trips, demonstration of ICT machines and interactive seminars.
On the first day all participants were welcomed at the A-WEB Secretariat in Songdo, Incheon. Already the first session, a seminar held by Paul DeGregorio, Senior Advisor of A-WEB, discussed the hot topic of the recent U.S Presidential Elections. The U.S. system of Election Administration and Presidential Selection as well as issues in the Administration of the 2016 U.S. Presidential Election were presented and participants debated animatedly about the democratic legitimacy of an election system in which winning the majority of votes doesn’t always matter.
(2016. 12. 13._Visit to Changdeok Palace in Seoul)
The second day started with a visit to the National Assembly of South Korea in Seoul. There, participants were invited to take part in a seminar on the political development of emerging democracies and how to use ODA to support this transition period. Afterwards, the group visited cultural highlights of Seoul, namely Changdeok Palace and Insadong.
(2016. 12. 14._Edgar Arias from INE, Mexico, presenting his organizations strategies to drive up voter turnout)
On the third day participants got the chance to present their own country’s strategies on how to increase voter turnout and how to include minorities such as women, the elderly and handicapped in the electoral process. The session was moderated by Paul DeGregorio and showed how big countries such as Indonesia and small ones like Suriname have come up with their own, unique election management strategies to include all citizens. It was a great opportunity for the participants as well as A-WEB to learn about and from each other.
(2016. 12. 15._Director Juhwan Lee from A-WEB introducing the Korean election system)
(2016. 12. 15._Demonstration of ICT voting equipment in A-WEB’s Election ICT Experience Hall)
(2016. 12. 15._Prof. Hans Schattle proposing key principles for good election governance) The next morning session was led by Director Juhwan Lee from A-WEB. He introduced the election system of South Korea to the participants and then the group visited the 21st floor of the A-WEB Secretariat where they experienced the Korean early voting and election day voting and counting system first-hand. Additionally, other ICT equipment for voter identification, voting and counting was introduced via hands-on demonstrations. The afternoon section was led by Professor Hans Schattle from Yonsei University, who held a thought-provoking lecture on EMB Sustainability and good governance in the realm of elections. While mainly theoretical, the lecture touched on important questions such as what are the fundamental principles of good electoral governance.
(2016. 12. 16._Michael Hamasaki, member of A-WEB’s training and research team, holding a seminar on the introduction of ICT for election day use.)
(2016. 12. 16._A-WEB Secretary General Yong-Hi Kim awarding the certificate of completion to the President of the National Jury of Elections, Dr. Victor Lucas Ticona Postigo)
(2016. 12. 16._Farewell Luncheon at Sheraton Hotel)
(2016. 12. 16._Group picture of all participants, the Secretary General and Paul DeGregorio)
On the last day, Michael Hamasaki, member of A-WEB’s training and research team, gave a presentation about the modes of introducing ICT for election day procedures. Both benefits and drawbacks of the use of ICT were discussed and participants were very interested in the problems other countries have experienced when opting for electronic voting equipment.
To round off the program, everyone moved to the Sheraton Hotel for a farewell luncheon with the Secretary General, Yong Hi Kim. Participants were awarded their certificates of completion and presents were exchanged to commemorate the program. The Chairperson of the Central Election Commission of Albania, Mr. Denar Biba, closed the training program with a toast.
As the theme for this program was “election management” the Secretariat expects that many of the participants were able to utilize the extensive knowledge that all them have gathered over the years. We anticipate that it was a great help not only to A-WEB, but other participants as well. It is our wish that all participants return to their home countries and apply all the diverse experiences and knowledge that they have gained through this program. Thank you!
(* Click the link below for more program pictures.) https://www.flickr.com/photos/thisisaweb/albums/72157676669084660
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