On 23 and 24 July 2024, the Centre for Human Rights (CHR), Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria in collaboration with the Electoral Commissions Forum of SADC Countries (ECF-SADC) and supported by the Open Society Foundations, convened a regional capacity building workshop on the information ecosystem and elections in Africa.
The purpose of the engagement was to enhance the capacity of Election Management bodies (EMBs) and Election Observation Missions (EOMs) to understand, adopt, and implement the African Union (AU) framework on freedom of expression and access to information and other relevant instruments in their work. These include the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance (ACDEG), the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights Guidelines on Access to Information and Elections in Africa (2017); the Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information in Africa (2019); and the Guidelines for the use of Digital and Social Media in African elections, adopted by the African Association of Electoral Authorities in February 2024.
Stakeholders at the meeting comprised representatives from EMBs in Southern Africa and Election Observer Missions (EOMs) across the continent. Some of the regional election observer missions that were represented include the ECF-SADC members, the East African Community Observation Mission (EACOM), the African Union Election Observation Mission (AUEOM), and the Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa (EISA), and Namibian-based election observers and monitors. Participants included academic experts, media, civil society, and democracy practitioners.
The regional workshop significantly advanced awareness and understanding of access to information in the context of elections, particularly in the work of EMBs and EOMs. Participants engaged in a comprehensive discussion on the AU framework on freedom of expression and access to information, emphasising its critical role in promoting electoral transparency, meaningful participation, and accountability. The workshop also explored strategies to effectively support EMBs and EOMs in meeting AU obligations on freedom of expression and access to information during elections. It also highlighted the importance of promoting a conducive information ecosystem during elections and advocated for the effective implementation of the recently adopted Principles and Guidelines for the Use of Digital and Social Media in Elections in Africa.
By the end of the two-day workshop, the stakeholders gained a comprehensive understanding of the information ecosystem through the AU framework, in electoral processes, including the roles of traditional media, social media, and other digital platforms. The workshop also enhanced the capacity of EMBs and EOMs to develop effective strategies and tools for monitoring and countering misinformation and disinformation that could impact electoral integrity. It also addressed critical issues related to access to information and freedom of expression for vulnerable and marginalised groups, such as women, youth, rural and indigenous communities, and persons with disabilities (PWDs). Additionally, the workshop also strengthened collaboration between EMBs and EOMs, leading to a mutual commitment to improve coordination and address challenges related to the information ecosystem during elections.
Finally, EOMs, EMBs and other participants proposed actionable recommendations designed to refine how EMBs and EOMs manage information during elections and envisaged leveraging the AU framework in enhancing the transparency, fairness, and credibility of elections. Implementing these recommendations will not only improve the integrity of elections but also strengthen democratic practices across the continent.
For more information, please contact:
The Expression, Information, and Digital Rights Unit
