An IGAD training workshop on Election Observation organized by the Political Affairs Program under the Peace and Security Division kicked off on 24 November 2014 in Bishoftu, Ethiopia.
The training workshop scheduled to be conducted from 24-26 November 2014, is organized for participants from the electoral bodies of the Republic of Sudan and the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia; IGAD Member States that are to conduct elections in April and May 2015 respectively.
The objective of the workshop is to contribute towards strengthening the institutional capacity of the electoral bodies of the two Member States to discharge the heavy responsibilities they are entrusted with i.e. organizing and conducting national elections of their respective countries.
The three days training workshop, which is attended by twenty participants each from the electoral body of the two member state i.e. the Republic of Sudan and the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, was officially opened by Ambassador Tewolde Gebremeskel, Director of the IGAD Peace & Security Division.
Ambassador Tewolde welcomed the trainees and trainers on behalf of IGAD Secretariat and stated that, the training will enhance the professionalism on elections observation and monitoring and also contribute to democratic, fair and transparent elections in the region.
The training is expected to assist the two Member States to have Election Commission staff with an enhanced capacity to understand election observation and monitoring processes which will empower them with the necessary technical knowledge of international standard and regional election instruments.
Done on 24 November 2014
In Bishotu, Ethiopia
