Chapter 4: Case Studies Related to Training of Arbiters
in Election Complaints
TEPJF has built a network of election administrators, and focuses on a
methodology that works to engage relevant institutions as equal partners.
It has ongoing relationships with most election management bodies
(EMBs) in Latin America, and also benefits from a multilateral network
through the OAS, the Inter-American Union of Electoral Organizations
(UNIORE) and electoral observation missions. After receiving a request,
the TEPJF collaborates with the petitioner, taking into consideration
its capacities and needs in order to best design a program that fits the
requirements of the country. As a result, training agendas can range from
such broad topics as a seminar on electoral justice to narrower subjects
like workshops on democratic transitions or electoral results.
Technical Assistance to the Electoral Commission of Zambia
(April 2009)
The TEPJF provided technical assistance to the Electoral Commission of
Zambia. The workshop included the following subjects: electoral bodies
and their mission in democratic governments, voter registration lists,
electoral mapping and districting, civic education, voting from abroad,
electoral justice, and strategic planning in electoral institutions.
Although a broad range of issues can be covered, training programs tend
to focus on a smaller subset of topics: discussions of electoral organization
and administration; electoral justice; electoral complaints adjudication;
and social communication as a strengthening factor in electoral bodies.
These subjects are then divided into more specific areas. The TEPJF
always undertakes a preliminary assessment of the electoral process
of the country requesting assistance. Moreover, the Court assesses the
democratic development of the country in order to apply one of three
levels of training: emerging democracies; more consolidated democracies
that seek to solidify their electoral institutions; and specific problematic
areas in mature democracies.
A typical training project is conducted during a one-week seminar in a
roundtable format: one or two experts give short presentations, which
are followed by question and answer sessions. The participants in
the training are selected by the EMB that has requested assistance.
Seminar presentations are given on the Mexican electoral complaints
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