Media Statement by the Electoral Commission of South Africa at the Start of the 5th General Assembly and International Conference of the Association of World Election Bodies
The General Assembly of the A-WEB started this morning with over 140 delegates representing election management bodies from 63 countries across the world.
Today’s General Assembly follows the successful conduct of the meeting of the Executive Board of A-WEB, which took place yesterday afternoon.
In this Executive Board meeting, Mr Jang In-sik from South Korea was elected the Secretary-General of this world body. We join the broad membership of A-WEB in wishing Mr Jang In-sik a successful tenure as the head of administration of A-WEB.
As part of fostering good practices in electoral democracy, the A-WEB Executive Board resolved to establish a portal of best practices. Member election bodies will be contributing these best practices in seven identified themes related to electoral administration.
The opening ceremony of today’s proceedings started with Ms Janet Love presenting a welcome address. In welcoming guests, she said: “On behalf of the Electoral Commission of South Africa, I extend a warm African welcome to all of you, delegates to this very important 5th General Assembly Meeting of the Association of World Election Bodies.”
“Our meeting takes place within the embrace of Table Mountain at a very important time in our history: it is a time when democracy is under threat across all continents of the world. Not only is Europe caught in the grip of war, but the foundation and pillars of some of the world’s oldest democracies have been shaken and tested. How can we not take note of the January 6, 2021 events at the Capitol in the USA?”
Representing the South African Government, Minister of Home Affairs, Dr Aaron Motsoaeledi noted that, “In the last decade, many nations including regional and economic powers have been confronted with challenges of protracted violent conflicts and political instability, of assault on democratic institutions and constitutionalism. According to the Global State of Democracy Report of 2021, more than 70 per cent of the global population now live either in non-democratic regimes or democratically backsliding countries. This is matter of overriding concern”.
The recently designated chairperson of the Commission symbolically received the A-WEB flag from the Chief Election Commissioner of India. India is the outgoing chairperson of A-WEB. This symbolic gesture signifies the change of guard in the leadership of A-WEB. In his acceptance speech Mr Mosotho Moepya said, “On behalf of the Electoral Commission of South Africa I accept with great humility the responsibility bestowed on us and the African continent by the A-WEB family to act as Chairperson for the next two years.”
The rest of the business of the General Assembly will proceed this afternoon with the election of the Deputy Chairperson of this World’s body. The five contestants include Colombia, Ethiopia, Kosovo, Philippines and Uzbekistan the election of the rest of the Executive Board.
In terms of the A-WEB charter, the elected Vice-Chairperson will automatically assume the role of Chairperson of the 6th General Assembly in 2024.
Tomorrow, 20 October 2022, an international conference will be held with the theme, Safeguarding Election Management Bodies in the Age of Global Democratic recession, as previously indicated scholars in electoral democracy as well as international agencies working in the electoral space have been invited to address the various aspects related to the theme. His Excellency, Former President Thabo Mbeki will be the guest speaker.
ENDS
ISSUED BY THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION
Ensuring free and fair elections
For media queries: Please contact Kate Bapela on 082 600 6386
For media interviews: Please email requests to spokesperson@elections.org.za
For more information on the A-WEB 5th General Assembly and International Conference, please visit:
- www.aweb2022.org
- www.facebook.com/IECSouthAfrica
- Twitter: @IECSouthAfrica