Agenda for 25 June 2007
A printable version of the Agenda is available in MS Word format
09:00 – 09:30 OPENING SESSION |
Opening Remarks |
- Craig Jenness, UN Electoral Assistance Division (UN EAD) - Linda Maguire, Democratic Governance Group, Bureau for Development Policy, UN Development Programme (UNDP) |
09:30 – 11:00 WORKING SESSION 1 |
Introduction to general principles and international
best practices governing the resolution of election disputes.
Moderator |
- Christiana Thorpe, National Election Commission of Sierra Leone |
Speakers |
- Ayman Ayoub, International IDEA - Nikolai Vulchanov, OSCE/ODIHR - Denis Kadima, EISA |
Rapporteur |
- Angela Bargellini, UN EAD |
11:00 – 11:15 COFFEE/TEA BREAK |
11:15 – 12:30 WORKING SESSION 2 |
Formal resolution mechanisms for electoral disputes:
comparative analysis and case studies.
Moderator |
- Christiana Thorpe, National Election Commission of Sierra Leone |
Panelists |
- Jesus Orozco Henriquez, University of Mexico - Jean-Pierre Kingsley, IFES - Tim Sisk, UNDP |
Rapporteur |
- Linda Maguire, UNDP |
Issues to be discussed
- Electoral disputes at various stages of the election process: electoral offences, irregularities, violations of the electoral law, disputes arising on the conduct of the election, criminal violations.
- Presentation of various types of formal electoral dispute resolution mechanisms: main characteristics, structures, costs, and how they are employed. Case studies.
- Advantages and disadvantages of formal mechanisms to handle electoral disputes.
- Effectiveness of electoral dispute resolution mechanisms in contributing to the quality (transparency, credibility, accountability, inclusiveness) of the electoral process and increasing the trust of citizens.
12:30 – 13:30 LUNCH |
13:30 – 15:00 WORKING SESSION 3 |
Discussion on the resolution of disputes related to election results.
Moderator |
- Chris Spies, Expert, UNDP |
Panelists |
- Maria Carmen Alanis, Electoral Tribunal of the Federal Judiciary, Mexico - Leshele Thoahlane, Independent Electoral Commission, Lesotho - Peter Havas, ACEEEO |
Rapporteur |
- Kendra Collins, UN EAD |
Issues to be discussed
- Disputes on technical count of ballots, fraudulent practices, technical obstacles during polling and counting: case studies and challenges ahead.
- Nullification of election results: can it respond to electoral disputes? Can it act as a conflict prevention tool?
- Discussion on the enforcement of decisions taken as a consequence of election dispute resolution.
15:00 – 15:15 COFFEE/TEA BREAK |
15:15 – 16:30 WORKING SESSION 4 |
Informal mechanisms for the resolution of electoral disputes:
existing practices and future developments.
Moderator |
- Chris Spies, Expert, UNDP |
Panelists |
- Derrick Marco, IDASA - Simon Osborn, ERIS - Costel Popa, ENEMO |
Rapporteur |
- Siphosami Malunga, UNDP |
Issues to be discussed
- Existing mechanisms of alternative resolution of election disputes: case studies.
- Review of the advantages and disadvantages of alternative forms of electoral dispute resolution mechanisms and the actors that can contribute to these processes.
- Can alternative resolution mechanisms act as conflict prevention tools?
- The role of international and domestic monitors.
Closing remarks: Craig Jenness, Director, UN Electoral Assistance Division
