The Role of UNDP in Supporting Democratic Elections in Africa

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The Role of UNDP in Supporting Democratic Elections in Africa

July 12, 2013

This publication presents UNDP's unique role in supporting democratic elections in Africa. It sets out UNDP’s vision for free and fair electoral processes underpinned by rigorous strategic planning; guiding principles based on a mission for change; and practices informed by national development objectives.

It aims to make basic information on UNDP activities in this field readily available to practitioners, national and international partners and other readers, in a short and easily accessible form. It presents the basis for UNDP assistance, highlights experiences, good practices and key lessons learned that are informing UNDP’s strategic interventions in electoral assistance and provides examples of success stories.

Highlights

  • Over the past two decades, UNDP has assisted more than 80 countries through coordination and management of about 342 electoral projects requiring more than USD 2.5 billion in expenditure.
  • A significant number of elections have succeeded in placing countries on a firm path of recovery and peaceful transition following years of civil conflict, including elections in Mozambique in 1994, Sierra Leone in 2002, Liberia in 2005 and DRC in 2006.
  • Africa has also seen elections in a host of other countries that have stalled democracy and precipitated political instability: for example, Côte d’Ivoire in 2000, Kenya in 2007, Zimbabwe in 2008 and Guinea Bissau and Mali in 2012.
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