![Lakes state participants trained by UN on electoral process. [Photo by Sudans Post]](https://i0.wp.com/www.sudanspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/P1000479-scaled.jpg?resize=2560%2C1439&ssl=1)
The “Building Resources in Democracy, Governance and Elections” (BRIDGE) workshop focused on equipping participants with knowledge of electoral principles, legal frameworks, and the electoral cycle.
Attendees included representatives from civil society organizations (CSOs) like the Citizens Network for South Sudan (CISON), UNMISS staff, government officials including members of the Human Rights Commission and the High Election Committee (HEC).
Doreen Akecam Mamer, coordinator of the Women’s Aid Vision (WAV), highlighted the importance of voter education.
“I learned specifically how to educate the public on the voting process, including voter registration and ensuring elections are conducted well for voters, candidates, and electoral bodies,” Mamer said. “I am now equipped to educate the masses and share information, even if I’m not directly involved in conducting elections.”
Daniel Laat Kon, coordinator of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO), emphasized the value of the training for CSOs.
“This training covered the electoral cycle and the roles of civil society and the electoral management body in each period,” Kon said. “We learned about voter education, voter information, and civic education, which are crucial for informing citizens and improving their participation in elections.”
Kon acknowledged the limitations of a three-day workshop but expressed appreciation for the knowledge gained.
“The BRIDGE curriculum is vast, and three days cannot cover everything,” Kon said. “However, the interactive format allowed us to grasp key concepts, and we can continue learning through future trainings.”
Kot Kuocnin Kuer, chairperson of the Lakes State High Election Committee (HEC), highlighted the importance of continuous training for election officials.
“This workshop covered the legal framework, disability and gender mainstreaming, voter registration, and civic education,” Kuer said. “Such trainings are essential, especially in Lakes State, as knowledge retention can decrease over time.”
Kuer identified areas for further training, such as vote counting, tabulation, and women’s party list calculations.
UNMISS BRIDGE training facilitator Ossama Kamel explained the program’s scope.
“BRIDGE is a curriculum developed by five international partners, including the UN and international electoral organizations,” Kamel said.
“This three-day workshop served as an introduction to election administration, covering topics like the electoral cycle, international standards, legal frameworks, and the roles of stakeholders,” Kamel added.
The workshop aimed to equip participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to contribute to a credible and inclusive electoral process in South Sudan.
