Programme

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Pre.
07:45-08:30 Arrival of guests and Registration(for those not-registered)
Arrival of the President of South Africa
08:30-09:00 Guests are seated/Housekeeping by Programme Director,
S.A. IEC Dr Nomsa Masuku (Commissioner)
Session
09:00-09:10 National Anthem
09:10-09:20 Welcoming/introductory remarks
by S.A. IEC, Ms Janet Love (Vice Chairperson)
09:20-09:40 Declaration of the 5th GA opening and opening remarks
by EC India, Hon Rajiv Kumar
09:40-09:43 Flag Handover Ceremony by EC India, Hon Rajiv Kumar
09:43-09:46 Acceptance Remarks by Mr Mosotho Moepya (Chairperson)
09:46-09:55 Introduction of the President of the Republic of South Africa
by Dr Aaron Motsoaledi (Minister of Home Affairs)
09:55-10:40 Address by the President of the Republic of South Africa
(the rest of the programme follows with Programme Director closing)
10:40-10:50 Leaving of President and domestic guests
Closing & Lunch
10:50-12:50 End of Ceremony, Traditional performance
The lunch(unofficial) will be served in Hall 8, CTICC 2 from 12:00
Opening
12:50-13:10 Guests are seated/Housekeeping
M.C.
13:10-13:20 Inaugural Speech(Chair)
Chair (S.A. IEC)
Sessions
13:20-16:50

Meeting proceeds with items for Report, Approval and Discussion,
including

  1. Voting on the next Vice Chair
  2. Appointment of the next Executive Board members
    (Regional group meetings in designated break-away rooms in Hall 8 and 9, CTICC 2.)
  3. Approval of the new Secretary General
  4. Report of A-WEB regional centre activities
Closing
16:50-17:20 Closing Remarks and photo- taking
S.A. IEC
Break
Event
18:30-20:30 Gala Dinner(Official) in Hall 5, CTICC 2
08h00-08h30 Registration
OPENING SESSION
Session Chairperson: Mr Glen Mashinini, Commissioner, Electoral Commission Of South Africa
08h30-08h40 Opening Remarks and Introduction of the Guest Speaker:
Mr Mosotho Moepya, Chairperson
08h40-09h40 Opening Address His Excellency, President Thabo M. Mbeki
SESSION 1: THE SETTING: THEORY AND PRACTICE
This session provides an overview of the current state of global democratic recession. Using theoretical explanations to the phenomenon, the session delves into the manifestation, trends, and impact of democratic recession at a global scale.
Session Chairperson: Professor Victoria Graham, University Of Pretoria
09h40-09h55 Theory, Origins and Manifestation of Democratic Recession
Professor Larry Diamond, Stanford University
09h55-10h10 Trends and Impact of Democratic Recession on Democracy
Dr Khabele Matlosa, Centre for African Diplomacy and Leadership, University of Johannesburg
10h10-10h40 Plenary Discussion
10h40-10h55 Tea Break
SESSION 2: DEMOCRATIC RECESSION IMPACT ON ELECTORAL PROCESSES
This session looks at the impact of democratic recession on the electoral processes including on EMB performance, public participation, and election integrity. Through the facilitated plenary discussion, the participants will share views in order to jointly identify key challenges affecting the EMBs and electoral stakeholders, and proffer innovative strategies on managing those challenges.
Session Chairperson: Dr Roselyn Akombe, UNDP Governance and Peacebuilding Regional Coordinator, Regional Service Centre for Africa
10h55-11h10 The Impact on Election Management Bodies
Professor Attahiru Jega, Department of Political Science, Bayero University
11h10-11h25 The Impact on Citizen Participation (Women, Youth,
People with Disabilities and internally displaced persons) Ms Chandanie Watawala, Executive Director, Asian Network for
Free Elections (ANFREL)
11h25-11h40 The Impact on Electoral Integrity
Professor Toby James, Co-Director, The Election Integrity Project and Professor at the University of East Anglia
11h40-12h10 Plenary Discussion

SESSION 3: MITIGATION MEASURES: A PANEL OF CONTINENTAL EMBs FORA
This session comprises a panel of continental EMB fora and provides a snapshot of the different initiatives at continental level in mitigating the impact of democratic recession in electoral processes. The participants will explore innovative ways to deal with the technical, operational, and financial challenges facing the EMBs. The session will specifically address, (a) EMBs’ citizen engagement through new ICTs, (b) the EMBs’ capacity needs for human, technical, financial and other resources, (c) the EMBs’ leadership capacities, coordination, and planning skills required to withstand the challenges of democratic recession.

Session Chairperson: Honourable Justice Priscilla Chigumba, Chairperson of the ECF-SADC Executive Committee
12h10-12h25 AFRICA: Association of African Electoral Authorities (AAEA)
Justice Mr Chifundo Kachale, Representative of the AAEA Southern African Region
12h25-12h40 AMERICA: Organisation of American States (OAS)
Dr Francisco Guerrero, Secretary for Strengthening Democracy
12h40-12h55 ASIA: Association of Asian Election Authorities (AAEA)
Mr Anup Chandra Pandey, Election Commissioner of India and AAEA Secretariat
12h55-13h25 Plenary Discussion
13h25-14h25 Lunch Break

SESSION 4: MITIGATION MEASURES THROUGH ELECTORAL ASSISTANCE
The session comprises case study experiences of leading electoral assistance agencies in confronting the excesses of democratic recession and strengthening the resilience of EMBs and electoral democracy. The session will identify (a) what works well (b) what has not worked well, (c) and what must be done differently or in addition to electoral assistance efforts. The session will also propose concrete measures and steps to be taken following this conference to safeguard EMBs from the impact of democratic recession.

Session Chairperson: Mr Tracy Capaldi Drewett, Executive Director, International Centre for Parliament Studies (ICPS)
14h25-14h40 United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
Dr Roselyn Akombe, Governance and Peacebuilding Regional Coordinator, Regional Service Centre for Africa, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
14h40-14h55 International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA)
Dr Roba Sharamo, Director Africa and West Asia
14h55-15h10 Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa (EISA)
Mr Baidessou Soukolque, Executive Director
15h10-15h25 Institute for Security Studies (ISS)
Mr Hubert Kinkoh, Researcher at the African Peace and Security Governance Programme
15h25-15h55 Tea Break
15h55:16h25 Plenary Discussion

SESSION 5: MITIGATION MEASURES BY INTERGOVERNMENTAL BODIES
This session will highlight the interventions by intergovernmental bodies in addressing democratic recession particularly, how they have prevented the growth of populism, authoritarian rhetoric and practices undermining democratic ideals. The panel of global, continental, and inter-governmental institutions will propose improvements to ensure a resilient electoral democracy. They will also highlight measures taken to strengthening EMBs in emerging democracies and post-conflict countries across all continents.

Session Chairperson: Dr Ayodele Odusola, Resident Representative, United Nations Development Programme
16h25:16h40 AFRICA: African Union (AU)
Mr Robert Gerenge, Principal Advisor to EMBs, Department of Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
16h40:16h55 EUROPE: Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR)
Mr Ulvi Akhundlu, Deputy Head of the Election Department
16h55:17h10 COMMONWEALTH
Mr Linford Andrews, Adviser and Head of Electoral Support, The Commonwealth Secretariat, London
17h10:17h25 UNITED NATIONS
Mr Hassan Sesay, Team Leader, Strategic Partnerships Electoral Assistance Division, Department Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, New York
17h25:17h55 Plenary Discussion
SESSION 6: CONFERENCE CLOSING
This session winds up the conference with a summary of key issues raised and proposals on the way forward for meaningful enhancement of the resilience of the EMBs. Session
Chairperson: Mr Sy Mamabolo, Chief Electoral Officer, Electoral Commission of South Africa
17h55:18h00 Conference Summary
Dr Victor Shale, Senior Manager, Office of the CEO, Electoral Commission of South Africa
18h00:18h10 Closing Remarks
Judge Dhaya Pillay, Commissioner, Electoral Commission of South Africa