Coordinating for Peace: Electoral Management Bodies and Security Forces in West African Elections

Peaceful, credible and inclusive elections remain central to democratic governance across Africa. However, elections can also represent periods of heightened risk for political violence. In West Africa, electoral processes are increasingly affected by political polarisation, violent extremism, misinformation and declining public trust. These evolving dynamics underscore the need for stronger coordination between Electoral Management Bodies (EMBs) and Security Sector Actors (SSAs) to prevent electoral violence while safeguarding democratic principles.

The research examines how EMBs and security forces coordinate their efforts on electoral security, moving beyond traditional analyses of electoral violence to explore the institutional arrangements, coordination models and governance mechanisms that underpin peaceful elections. It draws on five country case studies: Burkina Faso, Guinea, Niger, Nigeria and Sierra Leone.

The research also highlights the importance of gender-sensitive electoral security planning and examines emerging challenges arising from violent extremism, military intervention, digital technologies and community-based security actors. It provides evidence-based recommendations for EMBs, security agencies, ECOWAS, EMB networks and development partners to strengthen electoral security governance across the electoral cycle.

The webinar will focus on:

• EMB–security sector coordination across the electoral cycle, including institutional arrangements and coordination models that can contribute to peaceful elections.
• Emerging electoral security challenges, including violent extremism, misinformation, military involvement in elections and violence against women in elections.
• Gender-sensitive electoral security planning and its importance in strengthening inclusive approaches to electoral security.
• Regional cooperation, peer learning and technical assistance as practical avenues for strengthening electoral security governance.
• Evidence-based approaches to policy and practice, with a focus on translating research findings and recommendations into practical measures.
  
  The session aims to:
• Present the key findings and recommendations of the research.
• Promote dialogue and peer learning on effective EMB–SSA coordination throughout the electoral cycle.
• Explore emerging challenges affecting electoral security and the ability of institutions to respond effectively.
• Identify practical opportunities for strengthening regional cooperation, peer learning and technical assistance to enhance electoral security governance.

The webinar will bring together Electoral Management Bodies from across Africa, Regional Economic Communities and regional EMB networks, civil society organisations, development partners, African Union stakeholders and security sector representatives. It will provide a regional platform for discussing the research findings, promoting peer learning and identifying practical entry points for translating the recommendations into policy and practice.

Resources: Find the full research and summaries in French and Portuguese
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                                                            PROGRAMME

Welcome and Opening Remarks
• Gram Matenga, Head of Programmes, International IDEA
Setting the Context: Electoral Security In West Africa
• Speaker: Andrews Asamoah, Senior Advisor, International Idea
Presentation of Research Findings
• Presenter: Dr. Gabrielle Bardall- Research Chair
Panel Discussion: Proposed Panelists
• Ecowas Representative
• WANEP Representative
• EMB (Countries TBC)
• Security Sector Representative (Countries TBC)
Moderator/Facillitator: 
Vera Muring - International IDEA
Closing Remarks: 
Gram Matenga, Head of Programmes, International IDEA
 
Thank you ! Merci !