Page 63 - voice-international-oct2022

Events

International Webinar of

Association of World Election Bodies

T o mark the

completion of
two years of
Chairmanship of the
A-WEB (Association of
World Election Bodies),
Election Commission
of India organized an
International Webinar
on November 26, 2021
on the theme ‘Enhancing
electoral participation of
Women, Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) & Senior International IDEA, International Foundation of
citizen Voters: Sharing Best Practices and New Electoral Systems (IFES), Association of World
Initiatives’. Election Bodies (A-WEB) and European Centre for
The webinar was proposed to fulfill the A-WEB Elections participated in the Webinar.
mandate of identifying the latest developments This was the second virtual A-WEB webinar
in democratic electoral management and to conducted by the India A-WEB center under the
facilitate the exchange of best practices among aegis of ECI and A-WEB. Most speakers highlighted
members. The various aspects through which the the barriers to enhancing the electoral participation
participation of Women, PwD voters along with of each of these groups and efforts are taken by
senior and centenary citizens can be increased were EMBs to reduce these barriers. Some of these
discussed along with the possible barriers in their barriers included physical infrastructures like no
participation and accessible elections. The webinar separate queues for women or a low number of
was successfully organized with the presentation women candidates to choose from in elections or
by the countries, EMBs and International Electoral a lack of funds to support ramps and wheelchairs
Assistance Organizations like International for PwD or senior voters. Some other barriers were
Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) and the social which included deep-seated prejudices like
Malaysian Commonwealth Studies Centre (MCSC). patriarchal structures that prohibit women from
Nearly a hundred delegates from 24 countries voting or contesting elections or the fear of public
across the world namely Bangladesh, Bhutan, participation for PwD voters. Various EMBs have
Cambodia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Georgia, Kazakhstan, taken exceptional measures to improve accessibility
Republic of Korea, Liberia, Malawi, Mauritius, for all sections of society to cast their vote during
Mongolia, Philippines, Romania, Russia, Sao Tome elections including changes in their legal framework,
and Principe, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Sri especially in the light of the Covid-19 pandemic
Lanka, Suriname, Taiwan, Uzbekistan, Yemen which has doubly marginalized some of these
and Zambia and 4 international organizations, groups from participating in the democratic process.

Sources: https://indiaawebcentre.org/gallery/album/6-international-webinar-on-enhancing-electoral-participation/
https://eci.gov.in/

October 2022 | VoICE International | 63