The African Union Commission, alongside the AAEA and ECES, hosted the 9th Forum of Election Management Bodies in Accra, focusing on the rising incidence of invalid and rejected ballots in African elections. The forum highlighted alarming statistics, facilitated discussions among various stakeholders, and generated actionable recommendations to improve electoral integrity across the continent.
The Department of Political Affairs, Peace and Security (DPAPS) of the African Union Commission (AUC) and the Association of African Electoral Authorities (AAEA), supported by the European Centre for Electoral Support (ECES), held the 9th Annual Continental Forum of Election Management Bodies (EMBs) in Accra, Ghana, from March 12 to 13, 2025. This year’s theme focused on addressing the increasing rates of invalid or rejected ballots during elections in Africa, which are significantly higher than the global average.
The forum serves as a prominent platform for promoting good governance and participatory democracy by facilitating peer-learning among election management bodies across the continent. Justice Sophia Akuffo, the Immediate Past Chief Justice of Ghana, officially inaugurated the event. Key figures who delivered opening remarks included Mrs. Jean Mensa, Chairperson of the Electoral Commission of Ghana, Mr. Fabio Bargiacchi of ECES, and other distinguished leaders.
Statistics presented underscored the urgency of the forum’s discussions, revealing alarming figures of invalid ballots in recent elections: Liberia’s 2023 elections saw 5.89% of votes invalid; Kenya’s presidential elections in 2022 recorded 0.79% invalid votes; South Africa faced 1.31% invalid votes in its 2024 elections; and Ghana reported 2.08% rejected ballots.
Participants included representatives from various African Union Member States, regional economic communities, international organizations, civil society, and academia, all engaged in the electoral process. Key discussion topics included the definitions and implications of invalid and rejected ballots, an analysis of ballot design, and strategies to reduce invalid votes in future elections.
Recommendations emerging from the forum included the formation of a committee to explore best practices across nations and the development of national action plans tailored for each country’s specific challenges. The forum’s outcomes will be encapsulated in a forthcoming document containing detailed recommendations. Following the forum, a General Assembly of the AAEA is scheduled for March 14, 2025, to further these discussions. This initiative was facilitated by the Pro Electoral Integrity project of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, through ECES.
The 9th Annual Forum of Election Management Bodies successfully addressed the pressing issue of invalid and rejected ballots in African elections, showcasing a commitment to improving electoral integrity. With vital discussions and actionable recommendations, the forum serves as a crucial step toward ensuring fair and participatory democratic processes across the continent. The establishment of national action plans and the prospect of cross-national cooperation highlight the potential for meaningful progress in addressing these electoral challenges.
Original Source: www.peaceau.org
