• Electoral processes and democratisation

Program Summary

This program focuses on electoral processes and the strengthening of democracy. The importance of this program is explained and justified daily when we observe the speed and the various forms in which democracy regresses on our continent. In a considerable number of countries, presidents do not hesitate to force their mechanical parliamentary majorities to modify the number or duration of terms of office, thus creating, legally, conditions to stay in power forever.

While it is true that electoral processes are only a moment of the democratic life of African countries, the fact remains that electoral competitions are momentous for at least two reasons. First, free and fair polls constitute a minimum basis for political legitimacy . But then as well, in the African context characterized by the fragility of the State and the imperfection of nation-building, electoral competitions often “trigger” violent conflicts, likely to take ethnic or regionalist forms.

It is for these reasons that the Gorée Institute has chosen to work in the field of enhancing knowledge and electoral process management capability, thus completing the efforts of funding, awareness and supervision of elections assured by the official authorities (such as the Independent National Electoral Commissions (CNI) or international and regional authorities (EU, UN, ECOWAS).

Our focus

Our objective is to make a significant contribution toward improving the quality of electoral processes in Africa. In order to enhance knowledge of electoral laws and best practices in elections in Africa and improve electoral processes through advocacy for reform of electoral systems, we create databases and disseminate of information of quality. We also focus on strengthening the capacities of key stakeholders to ensure improved quality of management and contribution to the electoral processes through facilitating dynamic exchanges of experience and information between the various actors and the building of networks.

Our Approach

• Share our ideas with the various stakeholders in order to get their commitment
• Network groups of stakeholders and foster a dynamic collaboration
• Collect, process and make the best information accessible
• Develop with the help of experts training modules of quality and conduct training sessions
• Ensure a lobbying of electoral and state authorities