African Election Management Bodies Forum Addresses Invalid Ballots Issue
The 9th Annual Forum of African Election Management Bodies, organized by the AU, focused on addressing invalid and rejected ballots in elections. Prominent leaders discussed alarming statistics and proposed strategies for enhancing electoral practices. Recommendations included developing national action plans and fostering best practices from across nations. The forum concluded with a commitment to continue collaborative efforts in improving electoral integrity across Africa.
The Department of Political Affairs, Peace and Security (DPAPS) of the African Union Commission (AUC) organized the 9th Annual Continental Forum of Election Management Bodies (EMBs) from March 12 to 13, 2025, in Accra, Ghana. Collaborating with the Association of African Electoral Authorities (AAEA) and supported by the European Centre for Electoral Support (ECES), this forum focused on the theme: “All Votes Count: Addressing the Problem of Invalid or Rejected Ballots in Africa.”
The EMBs Forum, a premier policy platform of the AUC’s PAPS, aims to enhance good governance and participatory democracy via peer-learning and shared experiences in election management. Notable figures, including Justice Sophia Akuffo, the Immediate Past Chief Justice of Ghana, and various electoral authority leaders delivered opening remarks, underscoring the urgency of confronting the alarming rates of invalid ballots across the continent.
Statistics revealed concerning trends: for instance, in Liberia’s 2023 elections, 5.89% of votes were invalid; Kenya’s 2022 presidential election saw 113,614 invalid ballots, and South Africa faced 213,437 invalid votes in 2024. Ghana recorded 2.08% of rejected ballots, indicating the issue’s prevalence and the pressing need for reforms.
Attendees encompassed representatives from AUC, AU Member States’ EMBs, regional networks, international organizations, civil society, and academia. The discussions addressed critical issues such as: the definitions and causes of invalid ballots, the impact of electoral systems and ballot design, and strategies for reducing invalid votes across Africa, culminating in a proposed roadmap for the forum’s outcomes.
Key recommendations included establishing a committee focused on cross-national platforms for best practices and urging EMBs to develop specific national action plans to ensure continuous improvement. The forum will conclude with a General Assembly of the AAEA on March 14, 2025. An outcome document detailing recommendations will be released shortly.
In summary, the 9th Annual Continental Forum of EMBs aims to tackle the rising incidence of invalid ballots in African elections. By uniting various stakeholders and discussing strategies for electoral improvement, the forum seeks to foster democratic practices and enhance the integrity of electoral processes across the continent. Future actions will include the establishment of national action plans and a commitment to sharing best practices to ensure continuous progress in election management.
Original Source: www.peaceau.org
