Electoral Commission signs Memorandum of Understanding with University of South Africa
JOHANNESBURG – The MOU seeks to strengthen knowledge and expertise in electoral democracy.
The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has extended its Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the University of South Africa (Unisa) to advance knowledge and skills development in the field of electoral democracy.
The MOU, which was extended by another three years, was signed on 20 November by the commission’s chairperson, Glen Mashinini and Unisa Principal and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Mandla Makhanya.
According to the commission, the MOU seeks to strengthen knowledge and expertise in electoral democracy through the development of education and training programmes for election practitioners in Africa.
Mashinini said it also seeks to identify research opportunities to further enhance and promote democratic electoral principles, legislation and practices.
The partnership with the continent’s leading distance-learning institution offers opportunities to expand knowledge and professionalism within electoral management bodies throughout Africa.
“The continued entrenchment of electoral democracy in our continent is an essential ingredient for the overall advancement of Africa and its people,” said Mashinini.
Makhanya said the agreement signalled the continuation of long-standing cooperation between Unisa and the Electoral Commission in the field of electoral management expertise.
“Through a strategic partnership between the IEC, the Institute for African Renaissance Studies at Unisa and with funding and support from USAID, the Management of Democratic Elections in Africa (MDEA) certificate programme has over the past seven years been able to impart skills, knowledge and expertise in the field of electoral democracy management to hundreds of electoral practitioners from all around Africa,” said Makhanya.
“The MOU sets the framework for the joint development and implementation of mutually beneficial programmes which will help enhance professional electoral management capabilities in South Africa and beyond.”
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