The first official recognition of elections as a “process” rather than an “event” in 2001was not followed by an immediate shift in approach by electoral assistance providers and development agencies. The evolution from event-driven support to process and demand-driven support in electoral assistance programs has proved to be a long one, for a number of associated factors. This “paradigm shift” in approach has now taken root. However, there is still considerable work to be done before this evolution can be completed.
This publication argues that the work that still needs to be done is essentially capacity building, both at the development agency and partner country level. Initiatives implemented over the last three years in the field of electoral are analysed in this context. This represents a first assessment of the way in which electoral assistance is delivered on the ground, and the effect that these new ideas are having in shaping other development agencies’ priorities in this field.
