Continental forum strengthens inclusive political participation for African diaspora

Electoral experts and stakeholders across Africa gathered for the 10th Annual Continental Forum of Election Management Bodies under the theme "African Diaspora Voting: Progress, Gaps and Prospects." The forum, which took place from 6 to 8 July 2026 at Sharm El-Sheikh in Egypt, was convened by the Department of Political Affairs, Peace and Security (DPAPS) of the African Union Commission (AUC), in collaboration with the Association of African Electoral Authorities (AAEA). 

The first session of the continental dialogue affirmed the democratic right of out-of-country voting (OCV). The AU recognises the diaspora as key stakeholders in the development of the African continent. International IDEA was represented at the forum by the team from its regional Electoral Processes pillar - Olufunto Akinduro (Senior Adviser, Electoral Processes, for the Africa and West Asia region), Vera Muring (Programme Officer, Electoral Processes, for the Africa and West Asia region) and Dr. Kryticous Nshindano (Political and Electoral expert).

Speaking during the first panel of the forum, Akinduro shared comparative data from International IDEA's global ‘Voting from Abroad Database’. The database highlights varying practises from countries that entrench full participation of the diaspora (the right to vote and be voted for) as seen in Mozambique and Gabon, and countries that have legal frameworks that recognise the right to vote but yet to be operationalised, while some countries aspire to have OCV entrenched in their legal frameworks.  Her presentation also highlighted the gaps between legislative obligation and operational realities. 

The forum resolved that OCV, guided by universal principles, should take into account various country-specific voting contexts. The forum highlighted that key considerations in OCV, like the inclusion of all citizens, modalities for registration and voting, and results management and transparency concerns, need to be addressed. Inconsistency or delay in the adoption of the said considerations results in implementation gaps.

The forum agreed that the African continent has accepted the principle of the diaspora's right to vote and universal suffrage as enshrined in the law, and as outlined in regional and global legal frameworks such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and the Africa Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance, which was adopted in 2007 by the African Union. Despite the existence of the legal frameworks, glaring challenges in operationalising OCV persist. 

The dialogue delved into design choices that decide inclusion. It was cited that eligibility is key. Questions of principle emerged. Who has the right to be represented, and how?

According to International IDEA’s handbook on ‘Voting from Abroad’, the ability of diaspora constituents to exercise their right to vote has been a longstanding issue in electoral design and management, especially as countries holding democratic elections have increased. 

Through peer learning, exchange of experiences, and the sharing of good practices across various country contexts in OCV, the forum in Egypt served as much-needed continental dialogue to address and offer solutions to the quality and depth of implementation on OCV and ensure the implementation gaps that risk widening through accelerated migration trends are addressed.