International IDEA supports stronger electoral authorities in Southern Africa
International IDEA attaches great importance to regional networks and peer learning as vital platforms for sharing best practices, building the capacities of election commissions, and fostering mutual support among peers. This collaboration is guided by a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between International IDEA and ECF-SADC in August 2015.
The Electoral Commissions Forum of the Southern African Development Community adopted its Strategic Plan 2025–2030 at the 26th Annual General Conference that was held in Seychelles 10-12 December 2024. The plan sets out the Forum’s strategic objectives for the next five years, focusing on strengthening institutional capacity, embracing digital innovation, enhancing resource mobilization, and promoting participatory democracy across the SADC region.
International IDEA, through the EU-funded Strengthening Pan-African Capacities for Electoral Observation and Assistance (SPEC) project, supported the development and validation of the plan. The Strategic Plan emphasizes continuous improvement and adaptation, with a focus on strengthening internal processes, staff expertise, and regional cooperation. Its overarching goal is to enhance credibility and voter confidence in all elections conducted in the SADC region between 2025 and 2030.
It identifies three key outcome objectives:
- Adherence to electoral laws, obligations and good practices
- Resilient Electoral Management Bodies (EMBs)
- Institutional strengthening, capacity building and sustainability of ECF-SADC
Cross-cutting themes—gender, youth, people with disabilities, technology, and climate change—are integrated throughout all strategic interventions and activities.
Through this continued partnership, International IDEA supports ECF-SADC in institutional development, capacity building, policy research, and regional networking—contributing to stronger and more credible electoral processes across Southern Africa.
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