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Head of the Electoral Support Section, Commonwealth Secretariat, Martin Kasirye (left), speaking with Senator Lucille Moe, Minister of Information, Broadcasting and Public Affairs, at the opening session of the Commonwealth Election Professionals Initiative training.

CEP Initiative training under way

THE Commonwealth Election Professionals (CEP) Initiative training smoothly got under way for the Caribbean and Americas region on Monday at the Barbados Hilton Resort.

The five-day training is hosted in partnership between the Government of Barbados through the Electoral and Boundaries Commission and the Commonwealth Secretariat. The aim of the Commission, according to John Haynes, Chairman of the Barbados Electoral and Boundaries Commission, is to review and reform present legislation.

“The Commission is in the process of reviewing and reforming the legislation in order to engage existing processes and introduce new and improved processes and procedures for the conduct of elections.”

Haynes also said that the training could not be more timely as Barbados was in an election cycle with elections expected to be called in 2023. The head also highlighted the plan to produce new and improved Smart ID cards, which would aid in the process of updating the list of registered voters.

The featured speaker for the opening session of training was Senator Lucille Moe, Minister of Information, Broadcasting and Public Affairs. The senator also lauded the initiative, saying that it was her belief that reform was the way forward in streamlining and securing the process of elections. Moe highlighted several areas which could be looked at during the week, including the adding of social media and other new media in the legislation surrounding elections.

“It is important to know the environment and also know the impact of the environment on your EMB (Electoral Management Bodies), so that you are able to adjust your processes in response to changes in your environment. In the current environment of today’s world, the media has expanded and now includes social and other media. Technology has also advanced. It challenges you to determine if your voting and electoral systems are parts of the past rather than effective responses to current voting needs.”

The minister also advised the various territories involved to evaluate the processes of each other to see what successful initiatives could be undertaken and used to raise the standard of their own electoral administration. The Smart ID project was one which, Moe was of the opinion, would benefit all within the Commonwealth as it would give more accurate voter listings.

Head of the Electoral Support Section, Commonwealth Secretariat, Martin Kasirye, also expressed that sentiment and encouraged the forging of bonds between the Commonwealth members and strengthening of institutional capacities.

“We all must play a role in deepening our countries’ democratic processes. This initiative also makes a contribution to advancing our shared goal of forging stronger links between the family of Commonwealth nations and to nurture the rising generation of Commonwealth local administrators in their important national roles and duties.”

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