AU/AAEA VALIDATION WORKSHOP ON THE PRINCIPLES AND GUIDELINES FOR THE USE OF DIGITAL AND SOCIAL MEDIA IN ELECTIONS IN AFRICA

AU/AAEA VALIDATION WORKSHOP ON THE PRINCIPLES AND GUIDELINES FOR THE USE OF  DIGITAL AND SOCIAL MEDIA IN ELECTIONS IN AFRICA

The African Union (AU) and The Association of African Electoral Authorities (AAEA), today, Wednesday, September 6, 2023, began a two-day Workshop for the Validation on the Principles and Guidelines for the Use of Digital and Social Media in Elections In Africa in Adis Ababa, Ethiopia. The Workshop, which is being hosted by the African Union Commission in Addis Ababa, is also being held at The African Union (AU) Headquarters building, Addis Ababa. 

The principles and guidelines are developed in collaboration with the African Union Commission (AUC) in line with the resolution of the AAEA General Assembly that was held in Maputo, Mozambique, in November, 2022. The the General Assembly tasked the Electoral Commission of South Africa to spearhead the development of these principles and guidelines.

Towards the achievement of the above goals, the Electoral Commission of South Africa established a Technical Working Group (TWG) compromising experts from the Continent and representatives of EMBs from the five African Sub-regions to develop the draft guidelines. 

The general objective of developing the principles and guidelines regulating digital and Social Media Use in African Elections is to enhance the capabilities of EMBs and other electoral stakeholders to harness the advantages of social media and additionally tackle its adverse effects.

Additionally, the Validation Workshop aims to achieve the following:

(1) To enhance existing continental and regional normative frameworks governing the conduct of elections by specifically incorporating issues of digital and social media in elections.

(2) To create awareness among EMBs and other stakeholders on the benefits and threats of digital and social media to the electoral process and integrity.

(3) To foster policy development on digital and social media in elections by EMBs, Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and African Union Member States. 

The Hon. Chairman of the Commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu was invited to the Workshop to provide high-level inputs to enhance the guidelines both in substance and principle. The Hon Chairman is being represented at the workshop by Dr. Sa’ad Umar Idris(4L) Director-General of the INEC Electoral Institute.

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CREDIT: INEC Nigeria