Participation of the Regional Director of International IDEA at the Conference on Electoral Integrity in Latin America

The Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean of International IDEA, Dr Daniel Zovatto, participated in the Conference on Electoral Integrity in Latin America, held in Mexico City on 14-15 August 2017.  During his Mexico visit, he also facilitated in formalizing the bilateral electoral cooperation between Mexico and Paraguay through the signing of a collaboration agreement between the Supreme Electoral Court of Paraguay and the National Electoral Institute of Mexico.

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In his speech during the panel discussion on "Money and Politics" at the Conference on Electoral Integrity in Latin America , Dr Zovatto highlighted the key points for designing and implementing effective policies to control financing in politics. He also shared international best practices in this field, with an emphasis on transparency, accountability and consistent public policies to ensure that electoral bodies can effectively control the resources allocated to political parties and actors throughout the electoral cycle.

The conference, which served as a space for reflection, exchange of ideas and best practices for the strengthening of democratic institutions in the region, was organized under the auspices of the Kofi Annan Foundation and was hosted by the National Electoral Institute of Mexico (INE), the Electoral Tribunal of the Judicial Branch of the Mexican Federation (TEPJF), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mexico (SRE), the Specialized Prosecutor's Office for Electoral Crimes (FEPADE), the Mexico City Electoral Institute (IECM) and the Latin American Parliament (PARLATINO). International IDEA, together with the United Nations Department of Political Affairs Electoral Assistance Division, the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES), the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI) and the Open Society Foundation partnered for the event.

During this visit, the bilateral electoral cooperation between Mexico and Paraguay was formalized through the signing of a collaboration agreement with the Supreme Electoral Court of Paraguay (TSJE), represented by its President, Minister Jaime Bestard and the National Electoral Institute of Mexico (INE), represented by its CEO, Lorenzo Córdova. This agreement will facilitate the exchange of information and experiences on best practices in the field of transparency, accountability and inclusion of all sectors of the citizenry. The Paraguayan Ambassador to Mexico, Victor Chavez, Director General for Latin America and the Caribbean of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yanerith Morgan, Director for Latin America and the Caribbean of International IDEA, Dr Daniel Zovatto, and the Director of the Paraguay Programme of International IDEA, Lourdes González were the witnesses at the signing ceremony.

The technical cooperation agreement signed between the TSJE and the INE will have the support of International IDEA for its execution. The main objectives of the cooperation, as mentioned in the agreement, are to articulate actions and mechanisms in the field of electoral administration, in order to identify spaces for exchange of information and experiences, aiming to strengthen the capacities of both institutions in substantive areas such as updating voter registration; mechanisms for the delimitation of electoral boundaries; training in civic and democratic values; citizen participation; inclusive electoral processes, gender equality and non-discrimination; organization and electoral logistics, training of voting station officials; as well as funding of political parties and institutional strengthening. Likewise, the agreement establishes the commitment for jointly organizing trainings and workshops, exchanging experts and information, providing technical support, organizing international conferences and meetings, and collaborating for joint publications, to enrich and spread the culture and values of democratic ideals ​​in both countries.

Taking advantage of his visit to Mexico, Dr Zovatto also discussed the preparations for the Ibero-American Electoral Justice Conference and the launch of the Global Electoral Justice Network, two events to be held in Mexico next November under the auspices of TEPJF and International IDEA.