Rajiv Kumar, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) of India, emphasized the crucial role played by the Association of World Election Bodies (A-WEB) in fostering cooperation among Election Management Bodies (EMBs) worldwide. Speaking at the 11th meeting of A-WEB’s member countries in Cartagena, Colombia, Kumar highlighted the importance of countering fake narratives that threaten election integrity. He proposed the establishment of an A-WEB portal to serve as a repository of best practices and initiatives, as well as the introduction of A-WEB Global Awards to recognize significant contributions to democratic processes.
A-WEB, the largest association of EMBs globally, boasts 119 EMB members and 20 associate members from regional associations/organizations. During the executive board meeting, participants discussed various agendas, including the upcoming programs and activities planned for 2023-24, the annual progress report of A-WEB and its regional offices, the budget, and membership-related matters. The discussions aimed to enhance cooperation among EMBs and strengthen election integrity. The CEC’s proposal to establish an A-WEB portal reflects the need for a centralized platform to document electoral best practices and initiatives from around the world.
Such a repository would facilitate knowledge sharing and enable EMBs to address challenges, particularly the spread of misinformation and disinformation during elections. Additionally, the introduction of A-WEB Global Awards would incentivize EMBs to take important initiatives and contribute significantly to democratic processes. In conjunction with the A-WEB meeting, the National Civil Registry of Colombia will host an international conference on July 13, 2023, focusing on the challenges faced by regional elections. This conference will provide a global perspective on regional electoral processes, further promoting knowledge exchange and cooperation among EMBs.
On the sidelines of the meeting, the Election Commission of India (ECI) held a bilateral meeting with the National Election Commission of the Republic of Korea to discuss India’s Electronic Postal Ballot System. This meeting was a result of the 2012 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between India and South Korea, establishing a cooperative relationship in the field of election administration. The ECI’s Electronic Postal Ballot System is one of the notable initiatives that could be shared with other A-WEB members.
The establishment of the India A-WEB Centre in New Delhi, as decided during the A-WEB Executive Board meeting in 2019, highlights India’s commitment to sharing best practices and providing training and capacity building to A-WEB officials. The ECI has pledged to provide all necessary resources to support the India A-WEB Centre’s functions, which include research, documentation, and the publication of the ‘A-WEB India Journal of Elections.’ Overall, A-WEB’s efforts, such as fostering cooperation among EMBs and countering fake narratives, aim to strengthen election integrity globally. Through platforms like the proposed A-WEB portal and initiatives like the A-WEB Global Awards, EMBs can collaborate effectively and address the pressing challenges faced during electoral processes.