UNIOGBIS supports training for electoral staff in the regions

A training for the technicians of the Regional national Electoral Commissions (CNE) ran from July 24 to 1 August in all regions of the country, in the areas of Leadership, Electoral System and Disputes Management in electoral process.

2 Aug 2017

UNIOGBIS supports training for electoral staff in the regions

The training, given by CNE's senior technicians and financed entirely by UNIOGBIS, addressed issues such as electoral management and electoral bodies, voter registration, litigation and offense in the electoral register and the Bissau-Guinean electoral system.

Welcoming the initiative, SRSG Modibo Touré, said that "it was not possible not to hold this important training since the Security Council, in its most recent resolution of February 2017, requested UNIOGBIS to work in close collaboration with national authorities as well as with the United Nations Country Team (UNCT) to support the timely completion of the preparations of 2018 and 2019 elections and to strengthen democracy and good governance.”

In Canchungo the training took place on 24-25 July and was attended by 50 technicians from the regions of Biombo, Cacheu, Oio and Bissau Autonomous Sector Sector (SAB). Lourenço Cassamá, on behalf of the trainees, congratulated the CNE and its partners for giving them this opportunity. "We delegates, important elements in the electoral process, thank you for this training that contributes to a better performance in our mission.”

In Bafatá, the training took place on 27-28 July 27 for technicians from the Bafatá and Gabu regions and from Biga from 31 July to 1 August for 34 technicians from the regions of Bolama-Bijagós, Quinara and Tombali.

The Deputy Executive Secretary of the CNE, Idrissa Djalo, in Buba, said that this training was held "in the framework of the CNE’s mandate to train and strengthen the capacity of technicians and actors directly involved in the electoral process." "We submitted a project to UNIOGBIS as a partner and they answered promptly and positively. He acknowledged on the other hand that "the electoral process is a very complicated and complex process, so it requires training and permanent preparation, because every election is a challenge," he explained.

Also in Buba, Nelson Lopes, UNIGBIS’ Officer for the Political Affairs Section, reiterated that UNIOGBIS decided to embrace this project because it recognized the importance that the electoral process has in the consolidation of democracy, and "the people who work directly in this process and the voters are delegates of the regional National Electoral Election Commission, so it is important to take advantage of every existing opportunity to empower people, while requesting that participants take maximum advantage of this opportunity. "UNIOGBIS in accordance with its mandate will continue to support the CNE," Nelson Lopes added.

On behalf of the participants, Fenando Gomes Mendes, President of Bolama Bijagós regional NCE, said that the facilitators knew how to conduct their modules as they have always done," adding that "the electoral process is a very complex process, this is why it is important to have well qualified people able to handle every situation that might occur, because we are in a democratic country and every election has its realities."

Legislative election is expected in 2018 and presidential in 2019.