Africa Regional Virtual Meeting on Electoral Integrity

Against this backdrop, the Africa Regional Virtual Meeting on Electoral Integrity will bring together Electoral Management Bodies and other electoral stakeholders from across the continent to exchange experiences, identify emerging risks and explore practical approaches to strengthening public confidence in electoral institutions and processes.

The regional virtual dialogue organised jointly by INE Mexico and International IDEA seeks to move beyond identifying challenges faced by EMB on the continent, to generate practical approaches that enhance institutional resilience, strengthen stakeholder confidence, and improve electoral integrity across the continent.

The virtual dialogue is a precursor to the global dialogue that will be organised in-person in Mexico. The dialogue forms part of the preparatory process for the Global Electoral Integrity Forum, to be hosted by the National Electoral Institute of Mexico in Cancún, Quintana Roo, from 23–25 September 2026. While the global process will examine broad issues affecting electoral integrity including artificial intelligence, digital technologies, climate-related risks, public health emergencies and institutional partnerships the African regional consultation provides an opportunity to identify priorities and solutions that reflect the continent's specific electoral contexts.

Objective

To identify the principal challenges affecting public trust in African Electoral Management Bodies and develop practical recommendations that strengthen institutional resilience, electoral integrity, and stakeholder confidence.

The meeting will explore:
•    What are the most significant emerging threats to public trust in African EMBs?
•    Which stages of the electoral cycle present the greatest risks to institutional credibility?
•    How can EMBs strengthen transparency in voter registration, boundary delimitation, results management and electoral dispute management?
•    How are natural hazards and climate-related risks affecting electoral processes across Africa?
•    What partnerships and whole-of-society approaches have proven effective in building electoral trust?
•    What institutional innovations and regional cooperation mechanisms should be promoted across Africa?

MODERATOR: Olufunto Akinduro, International IDEA's Senior Adviser, Electoral Processes, Africa and West Asia

                                                                    PROGRAMME
     Opening remarks 

     Keynote presentation 

• An overview of EMB questionnaire responses and emerging continental trends affecting electoral integrity and public trust.

  Moderated panel discussion 
  The panel, featuring representatives from four African countries, will examine:
  •    Results management and electoral transparency
  •    Technology, misinformation and artificial intelligence
  •    Institutional partnerships for trust-building
  •    Risk management and organizational resilience
  
  Interactive dialogue with EMB representatives

• A facilitated exchange focusing on practical experiences, innovations, lessons learned and recommendations, rather than individual country presentations.
  
  Join the regional dialogue and contribute to shaping African perspectives on the future of electoral integrity.
  Registration: Regional Forums Registration: Rellenar formulario
                         Forums Régionaux - Enregistrement: Rellenar formulario
  
  Reference: Concept Note