Efficiency and sustainability of international electoral assistance: The UN experience Carlos Valenzuela Incheon, 16 October 2013
UN electoral assistance: an introduction (1) UN and electoral assistance – a (very) quick history 1940: observation of elections in the Korean peninsula – series of observation and supervision missions 1990s: observation and organization of landmark elections (CA, Cambodia, ET) Since then: extended demand for support. Since 1991: more than 100 countries have requested UN electoral assistance
UN electoral assistance : an introduction (2) Types of electoral assistance (historical and current): - Observation - Organization and holding of elections - Assistance to electoral authorities (financial, operational, technical) - Assistance to other stakeholders (legislators, media, civil society, security forces, pps….) - Others (certification, panel of experts)
UN electoral assistance: efficiency (1) Efficiency : determined in terms of mandate Generic mandate: support to electoral processes and authorities Historical progression: from support of an event to support of a process to capacity- building (“strengthening of electoral institutions and practices”)
UN electoral assistance: efficiency (2) In terms of observing elections – confidence building and deterrent In terms of holding elections – response to a political need to hold elections to advance a political process Despite successes: evaluation (lessons-learned) in terms of cost/efficiency and impact over time (sustainability) – move to support to local stakeholders - capacity-building focus – electoral cycle approach
UN electoral assistance: efficiency (3) Despite generic mission: terms of mandates are context/request specific Therefore: efficiency of the assistance needs to be evaluated on specific terms of the mandate (capacity- building): - Strengthening legal and institutional framework - Capacity-building of various stakeholders - Sustainability of processes, institutions, practices Clear definition of accountability criteria
UN electoral assistance: sustainability (1) Sustainability of electoral assistance? Objective: to support sustainable electoral institutions and practices (elections as periodic events) Sustainability of international electoral assistance is defined in terms of positive impact (efficiency) over time Long-term approach cannot be equated with endless support - progression and exit
UN electoral assistance: sustainability (2) Some elements for sustainability: - political will - cost-effectiveness - needs-driven (not supply driven) – rational identification of needs/requests, agreement - context appropriate (norms based but not prescriptive) – “no recipes” - focused approach (not doing everything)/ long-term vision BUT concrete short-term derivables - (real) respect of local ownership - relationships based on trust - good partner coordination (internal and external)
UN electoral assistance in “Arab Spring”: Lessons- learned UN electoral assistance in Egypt, Libya and Tunisia: lessons learned, two and a half years on: - low-key, low profile assistance - adaptability and creativity - assistance in transition (ECA w/out EMBs in place) - importance of awareness raising
UN electoral assistance : epilogue Integration and partnerships “Sub-regional” initiatives and country specificities From “doer” to “advisor” to “facilitator” UN’s added value: international, comparative perspective