Theophilus Dowetin, Programme Manager International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance during the African Union National Bridge Capacity Building Training for Electoral Management Bodies in Abuja.picture by TUNDE ADENIYI.on 26-11-2012.
Olabisi Dare, Acting Director, Department of Political Affairs,
African Union Commission (AUC), commends INEC having conducted free and fair
general election in April 2011, making this remark during a capacity building workshop
being organized for Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) by African
Union Commission Bridge yesterday in Abuja.
AUC National Bridge
capacity building is a product of the decentralized AU-IDEA regional Bridge, AUC
has been in place for over two years now and has enable AUC to reach out to and
offer training to over 43 EMBs from different sub-region of Africa in various Electoral
Management Bodies (EMBs) processes.
The Workshop is being held against the backdrop of the
Commission’s long term commitment towards the professionalization of staff in
general, and more particularly as part of the preparations towards the 2015
General Elections. Since the 2011 General Elections, the Commission has been
involved in the effort towards the continuous professionalization of our staff
and operations. It may be recalled that among the many activities that the
Commission had embarked upon since April 2011, was a similar Training Workshop
for INEC Staffs, sponsored by the African Union (AU) two of the four Workshop
Accrediting BRIDGE Facilitators are INEC staff and they were the product of
that workshop, twenty-five staff, three
from each geo-political zone and seven from headquarters have been selected to
undergo this training as part of the Commission’s effort at
professionalization, the overall goal is that within a short period of time the
Commission should have a crop of BRIDGE Facilitators that can drive its skills
development and acquisition programme on various aspects of the electoral
process.
Mohammadu Amanga, who represented the INEC Chairman at the workshop,
said “It becomes highly imperative therefore that all participants take the
training workshop very seriously so that at the end, you all will be better informed
and well equipped to plan and manage Pre-Election activities, and I would like
to draw the attention of all participants of how seriously the Commission
regards this Workshop and will closely watch your performance as well as the
reports of your Facilitators and enjoin all of you to give maximum attention in
developing the required skills so as to enhance the Commission’s capacity in
planning for future elections".
"I am also glad to observe that all three organizations have
been involved in the effort towards assisting electoral management bodies in
Africa to become more professional, more efficient and more focused on
delivering free and fair elections", The African Union has in particular,
since its 38th Ordinary Session held in Durban, South Africa, moved
towards creating institutionalized mechanisms for supporting the
professionalization of Africa’s Electoral Management Bodies in fulfillment of
the demands of its Declaration on the Principles Governing Democratic
Elections in Africa. Similarly, both the International Institute for
Democracy and Electoral Assistance (Int’l IDEA) and GIZ have been involved in
strengthening democratic institutions over several decades in Africa and
elsewhere across the world said Jega”.
In conclusion INEC Chairman thank the Africa Union (AU) and International IDEA for supporting the workshop and also extend regards to Theophilus Dowetin, Lead Facilitator and his Team of Co-Facilitators as they get set to undertake this great assignment and wish them a successful training sessions and very productive five days ahead.
