The Electoral Commission (IEC) will be hosting a workshop with civil society organisations in preparation of the 2014 elections from 25 to 26 February 2013. The theme for the workshop is, “Partnership with Civil Society Organisations in Delivering the 2014 Elections and Beyond”.
The Electoral Commission values the contribution of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in supporting and advancing democracy in South Africa. We have been partnering with the sector for effective interventions in our communities that seek active citizenship, especially with respect to marginalised and vulnerable groups.
Since 1994 we have seen the Civil Society Organisations playing a pivotal role in supporting electoral democracy. They have keenly participated in domestic observer programmes, conflict mediation in areas where political violence threatens, and in providing voter education/democracy education to communities. The IEC would like to see this active and positive contribution continuing and increasing. This is a huge responsibility which cannot be left in the hands of the IEC alone.
This workshop is the initiative of the IEC to:
- Launch a conversation with civil society and to reaffirm this sector as a very important partner in our democracy and specifically in ensuring that elections in South Africa are free, fair and credible,
- Elucidate the dangers of disengaged civil society structures, and
- Analyse problem areas and emerge with a clearer understanding that democracy cannot be outsourced to electoral management bodies (EMB) to manage alone.
In line with the above, we have invited representatives of civil society organisations in all nine provinces to get a general and also detailed perspective of issues affecting these organisations in the nurturing of democracy in South Africa. It is our hope that through this engagement, we will be able to network, share ideas and develop a concrete partnership in safe-guarding and nurturing our democracy.
The IEC welcomes all delegates to the workshop and wishes everyone a fruitful, frank and open dialogue.
For media queries:
Kate Bapela
Cell: 082 600 6386
Email: spokesperson@elections.org.za
