Course Overview
Violence in elections can pose serious threats to both the security and democracy of a country and can lead to a loss of life or a regime change. Electoral management bodies, electoral observers, police forces and the military all have responsibility over the peaceful delivery of an election. This programme shall seek to identify the potential flashpoints in the conduct of the election cycle. Participants on this course will examine legal structures and statutory procedures for handling complaints, the complaints procedures of the EMB and electoral commission, and will learn how to apply international best practice in local contexts in dealing with possible conflict whilst developing strategies to mitigate risk.
At the end of the course, the delegates will be able to:
- Develop greater understanding of the interaction between statutory and EMB guidance informal complaint handling
- Analyse the extent of training needed by EMB staff to handle conflict situations effectively
- Analyse the role of new technologies in reducing the potential for conflict to arise
- Examine the psychology of conflict and the impact of power, stress and self-interest on possible conflict situations in the context of elections
Learning Outcomes
- Legal and EMB complaint procedures
- Strategic planning to engage with stakeholders
- International standards in elections to ensure credibility
- Develop practical strategies to manage potential flashpoints
- Empowering staff to handle possible conflict locally and informally
How You Will Benefit
- The opportunity to gain a recognised professional qualification
- Hear the latest insights, research and developments in from leading experts
- Network and share ideas with colleagues from around the world
- Enhance your skills and knowledge to address sustainable solutions.
Who Should Attend?
Staff from electoral management bodies, electoral commissions, NGO representatives, legal professionals with an interest in the area, participants in domestic and international election observer missions, and government officials.
Agenda
Day 1
ICPS and trainers
Course objectives
Rules and Procedures
Course objectives
Rules and Procedures
Ice Breaker
Objectives for taking the course
Group Photograph
Objectives for taking the course
Group Photograph
What is Democracy?
What are the principles of a good democracy?
What is a credible election?
What are the principles of a good democracy?
What is a credible election?
What is an electoral cycle?
When and why does violence occur in the electoral cycle?
Electoral violence in the pre-elections, during and after elections
Identity Conflict – voter registration
Campaign Conflict
Ballot Conflict
Results Conflict
When and why does violence occur in the electoral cycle?
Electoral violence in the pre-elections, during and after elections
Identity Conflict – voter registration
Campaign Conflict
Ballot Conflict
Results Conflict
How do elections do exacerbate tensions and violence?
Prevention vs Management
Prevention vs Management
Day 2
In this session we will identify some of the international and national legal instruments which provide for legal challenges to disputed elections.
We will look briefly at the sources and identify the supranational bodies which set international and national standards for resolving electoral disputes.
Taking the UK as a model - and this is of particular value because it provides the model for the Common Law world- we will examine the important features of the legislation (And -in the case of the UK- the gross shortcomings of the legislation.
Finally we will look at some examples - from a variety of sources- of election petitions and discuss the legal principles which they demonstrate. We will also look at a collateral criminal challenge to an election.
This session will be of particular utility to those seeking to challenge elections by legal means, it will expose the weaknesses of the system and will point out the legal alternatives
We will look briefly at the sources and identify the supranational bodies which set international and national standards for resolving electoral disputes.
Taking the UK as a model - and this is of particular value because it provides the model for the Common Law world- we will examine the important features of the legislation (And -in the case of the UK- the gross shortcomings of the legislation.
Finally we will look at some examples - from a variety of sources- of election petitions and discuss the legal principles which they demonstrate. We will also look at a collateral criminal challenge to an election.
This session will be of particular utility to those seeking to challenge elections by legal means, it will expose the weaknesses of the system and will point out the legal alternatives
Understanding the principles of dialogue
When and how to use dialogue to resolve conflict
When and how to use dialogue to resolve conflict
Dialogue in Election-Related Conflicts
The State
Civil Society
Political parties
Candidates
Media
Religious leaders
Regional & International Actors
Civil Society
Political parties
Candidates
Media
Religious leaders
Regional & International Actors
Day 3
Structuring a written piece of work for assessment – Generic Overview and Principles
Blending conflict transformation content into these structures
Blending conflict transformation content into these structures
Understanding the principles of negotiations:
Mapping Positions, Interests and Needs;
Negotiation structures
Understanding when to use negotiations to resolve conflict
Mapping Positions, Interests and Needs;
Negotiation structures
Understanding when to use negotiations to resolve conflict
Establishing Organisational Name, Objectives and Strategy & Structure.
Appointment, Legitimacy, Capacity and Training
Statutory Mandate for Dispute Resolution
Non-statutory /informal mandate for dispute resolution.
Value of Independence, impartiality, moral and expert authority.
Issues on which EMB can intervene to prevent/manage electoral disputes
o EMB in preventing Electoral Disputes - examples.
o EMB in Managing Electoral Disputes - examples.
Statutory Mandate for Dispute Resolution
Non-statutory /informal mandate for dispute resolution.
Value of Independence, impartiality, moral and expert authority.
Issues on which EMB can intervene to prevent/manage electoral disputes
o EMB in preventing Electoral Disputes - examples.
o EMB in Managing Electoral Disputes - examples.
Day 4
Informal EDR
Formal EDR
The Role of the EMB
The Role of the Courts
Info & Technology
Training
Formal EDR
The Role of the EMB
The Role of the Courts
Info & Technology
Training
Understanding the principles of mediation,
Understanding when and how to use mediation to resolve conflict
Understanding the role of the mediators &
Mediation strategies: communication, facilitation & manipulation
Understanding when and how to use mediation to resolve conflict
Understanding the role of the mediators &
Mediation strategies: communication, facilitation & manipulation
Participants Debrief: Dialogue, Negotiations and Mediations
Day 5
Benefit of Long- and short-term observers
What exactly are EOMs looking for?
Impact of a good EOM report on stability, credibility, dampening anger and
reducing the likelihood of conflict and violence
What exactly are EOMs looking for?
Impact of a good EOM report on stability, credibility, dampening anger and
reducing the likelihood of conflict and violence
Plan of Action for Managing Electoral Conflicts
Objectives:
To use the knowledge and skills gained during the training.
Participants have the opportunity to conduct proxy and plenary talks on current conflict issues.
Objectives:
To use the knowledge and skills gained during the training.
Participants have the opportunity to conduct proxy and plenary talks on current conflict issues.
Plan of Action for Managing Electoral Conflicts
Objectives:
To use the knowledge and skills gained during the training.
Participants have the opportunity to conduct proxy and plenary talks on current conflict issues.
Objectives:
To use the knowledge and skills gained during the training.
Participants have the opportunity to conduct proxy and plenary talks on current conflict issues.
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