| Election Management Capacity Building Program for the Office of the Election Commission of Thailand |
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| Last updated 2023-10-04 |
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On September 19, 2023, the official launch of the A-WEB Election Management Capacity Building Program (CBP) for the Office of the Election Commission of Thailand (ECT) took place. The delegation, led by Mr. Kittipon Borrinon, Deputy Secretary-General of ECT, consisted of 13 officials. During the opening ceremony, Mr. Chang-Yeol Lee, Director General of the A-WEB Secretariat, delivered a warm welcome speech, while Ms. Pasini Sangsuwan, Deputy Director General Administration of ECT, shared her remarks.
Following the opening ceremony, the orientation session was provided for ECT officials to offer a comprehensive overview of A-WEB's governance, activities, achievements, and the curriculum of the program. At the end of the session, the ECT delegates demonstrated a strong interest in the election system of the Republic of Korea. They raised inquiries concerning topics such as the political party system, voting and counting procedures, and the upcoming national elections. Mr. Lee Chang-Yeol, representing the National Election Commission of the Republic of Korea, offered detailed explanations in response to their questions.
Subsequently, a lecture titled "Online Election Campaigns & Responses by the NEC of Korea" was offered by Hwang-Hwi Cho, Director of the Yeongdeungpo-gu Election Commission.
On the second day, September 20, Deputy Director Hur from the National Election Commission of Korea delivered an extensive presentation on Korea's electoral system and the application of ICT in election administration. ECT delegates inquired about various voting methods, including postal and shipboard voting, and sought guidance on election campaign materials.
After Deputy Director Hur's presentation, Professor Régis Dandoy from the University of San Francisco in Quito discussed potential challenges that election management bodies might encounter when implementing technology in election administration. He encouraged delegates to consider key factors when integrating ICT into election management, highlighting the growing enthusiasm for Internet voting in Europe and the Americas, driven by the increasing popularity of remote voting and the enhancement of digital skills.
Moving to the third day, September 21, ECT representatives visited the National Election Commission of Korea. During the visit, the ECT delegation had the opportunity to explore the Voting & Counting Experience Center. This visit provided valuable insights into the electoral procedures in Korea, encompassing various voting systems such as early voting and shipboard voting, all designed to promote citizen participation in the electoral process. Participants expressed their appreciation for this enriching experience, which deepened their understanding of the National Election Commission of Korea and its electoral mechanisms.
On the final day, September 22, Commissioner Chao-Chi Lin from the Central Election Commission (CEC) of Taiwan presented an overview of Taiwan's electoral system, explored the significant role that the Internet plays in the lives of Taiwanese citizens and its impact on electoral activities, offering valuable context for the subsequent discussions.
Commissioner Lin also addressed the growing issue of disinformation campaigns and their potential consequences for democratic processes. She examined common tactics used to manipulate public opinion during election cycles and shared the strategies and experiences of the CEC of Taiwan in countering election disinformation, underscoring the importance of safeguarding the integrity of the electoral process.
In summary, the four-day Election Management Capacity Building Program came to a successful close, featuring enthusiastic participants and informative presentations from seasoned speakers.
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