Programme

OPENING CEREMONY
Programme Director: Commissioner Dr. Nomsa Masuku
Symposium Rapporteur: Dr Ongama Mtimka

Remarks by Chairperson of the Electoral Commission of South Africa & ECF-SADC Vice Executive Committee Chairperson – Mr Mosotho Moepya

Remarks Acting UNDP Resident Representative, South Africa- Mr Gabriel Dava

SESSION 1
Facilitator: Ms Futhi Masinga

Session Chair: Sheuneni Kurasha Programme Manager: Democracy, Governance & Human Rights SADC Parliamentary Forum

Panel 1: A critical review of the past 25 years of Democracy and elections in the SADC region and implications for the future

Panelists
1. Olufunto Akinduro Senior Programmes Officer, International IDEA – Perspective on State of democracy in Southern Africa and the role of elections in promoting democracy.
2. Clara Cole Regional Director, Africa – IFES: Perspectives on Key considerations for guaranteeing the integrity of electoral processes as pathway to deepening democracy in Southern Africa
3. Hassan K. Sesay, Senior Electoral/Political Affairs Officer Electoral Assistance Division / Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, United Nations Secretariat: Review of election conflict prevention and management: Lessons for the future

Plenary Discussions

Panel 2 – Inclusive participation of Youth, Women & persons with disabilities in electoral processes; Emerging issues in electoral inclusion: lessons learnt and future considerations.

Session Chair: Rindai Chipfunde Vava, Executive Director, Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN)

Panelists
1. Nerima Wako Ojiwa – Executive Director – Siasa Place (SP)-Kenya
2. Tadiwanashe Misheck Gondo – Regional Coordinator Southern Africa Youth Forum
3. Clodoaldo Castiano – FAMOD (Fórum das Associações Moçambicanas de Pessoas com Deficiência).

Plenary Discussions

SESSION 2:
Facilitator – Mr Thabo Masemula

Session Chair: Jean Mensa, AAEA Executive Committee President, and Chairperson, Electoral Commission of Ghana

Panel 3: The Elections in the digital and social media Environment: – strategies for EMBs to effectively harness opportunities of the digital media space.

Panelists:
1. CEO South Africa- Bridging the gap on between EMBs and social media platforms *Case study from IEC South Africa
2. Google, META, TikTok -Recent developments in the digital media space and Artificial Intelligence and their impact on inclusive and transparent elections.

Plenary discussions

Panel 4: Leadership and partnerships: Delivering elections with integrity and trust.

Session Chair: Taona E Mwanyisa – Democracy & Governance Consultant

Panelists:
1. Wafula Chebukati, former Chairperson, IEBC Kenya
2. Hon Justice, Chifundo Kachale, Chairperson, Malawi Electoral Commission
3. Maria de Rosario, Chairperson of CNE, Cape Verde (Virtual)
4. Prof Kula Theletsane, Director Organ on Defense, Politics & Security-SADC Secretariat

Plenary discussions

Summary of lessons learnt, policy recommendations and way forward:
Robert Gerenge, Regional Electoral Advisor, UNDP and Vera Muring Programmes Officer: Elections, International IDEA

Closing Ceremony
Remarks by Ms Janet Love – Commissioner: Electoral Commission of South Africa
Remarks by ECF-SADC Vice President & Chairperson of CENI – DRC – Mr Denis Kadima