The 9th Annual Forum of Election Management Bodies, held in Accra, Ghana, addressed the rising incidence of invalid and rejected ballots in African elections. Key stakeholders discussed causes and solutions, resulting in recommendations for best practices and national action plans. The forum emphasized the need for immediate action to enhance electoral integrity across Africa.
The 9th Annual Continental Forum of Election Management Bodies (EMBs) took place on March 12-13, 2025, in Accra, Ghana, organized by the African Union’s Department of Political Affairs, Peace and Security (DPAPS) in collaboration with the Association of African Electoral Authorities (AAEA) and the European Centre for Electoral Support (ECES). The forum aimed to address the increasing incidence of invalid or rejected ballots in African elections, a significant concern given that Africa’s rates exceed global averages for invalid ballots.
Under the theme “All Votes Count: Addressing the Problem of Invalid or Rejected Ballots in Africa”, the forum convened key stakeholders to analyze the issue of invalid ballots. Statistics revealed troubling trends, such as Liberia witnessing 5.89% invalid votes in its 2023 elections and South Africa’s 2024 elections recording 1.31% invalid votes. Other countries, like Kenya and Ghana, also reported high instances of rejected ballots, highlighting a critical area for improvement.
The forum featured significant participants including Justice Sophia Akuffo, former Chief Justice of Ghana, and various leaders from electoral bodies across Africa. Their remarks underscored the urgency of resolving this electoral issue, with speakers emphasizing the necessity for tailored strategies to enhance ballot accuracy and integrity.
Sessions at the forum included discussions on understanding the definition and causes of invalid, rejected, and spoiled ballots. Participants explored ballot design and marking’s effects on invalid ballots and debated the responsibilities of determining ballot validity. Collaborative approaches to minimize invalid votes were also reviewed, identifying both current initiatives and future steps needed to improve the electoral process.
Key outcomes of the forum included recommendations for the establishment of a committee to explore best practices across nations, development of national action plans for EMBs, and the creation of a roadmap for implementing forum outcomes. An outcome document capturing these recommendations will be published.
Following this forum, a General Assembly of the AAEA is scheduled for March 14, 2025. The forum was supported by the Pro Electoral Integrity project, funded by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation through ECES, reflecting a concerted effort to enhance electoral processes in Africa.
The 9th Annual EMB Forum successfully addressed the critical issue of invalid and rejected ballots in African elections. With alarming statistics, the discussions highlighted the need for improved electoral processes. Key recommendations included establishing a committee for best practices and creating national action plans to ensure ongoing improvements. The outcomes reflect a significant step toward enhancing electoral integrity and strengthening democracy across the continent.
Original Source: www.peaceau.org
