Africa-Press – Seychelles. ● Creation of the electoral network of the Indian Ocean
Historic moment for the Indian Ocean Commission! After a two-day workshop to set up the network organized by the Indian Ocean Commission (COI) as part of its project Governance, Peace and Stability in the Indian Ocean, the election management bodies of the member states of the COI have signed the declaration of Mahé on the creation of the Réseau electoral de l’Océan Indien (REOI).
The signing ceremony was held at the headquarters of the Electoral Commission of the Seychelles, yesterday afternoon, and the declaration was signed by Mr. Saïd Mze Dafine, president of the Independent National Electoral Commission of the Union of Comoros; M. Mbae Toiminou, Director General of the Directorate General of Elections of the Union of Comoros; M. Tiana Ifomanitsoa Randrianarivonantoanina, electoral commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission of the Republic of Madagascar; M. Irfan Abdool Rahman, electoral commissioner, Office of the Electoral Commissioner of the Republic of Mauritius; M. Danny Lucas, president of the Electoral Commission of the Seychelles and the Secretary General of the IOC Prof. Vêlayoudom Marimoutou.
“The IOC’s mission is to consolidate institutions and consolidate peace in our area. With the developments of these last years, we installed the project ‘Governance, Peace and Stability in Indian Ocean (GPS) to guide us on the path and the deepening of democracy. Everything starts with a step and I think that the direction has been given and all the states have agreed to sign this agreement. Democracy is something alive and we will continue to grow”, explained SG Marimoutou.
This declaration of the creation of the REOI defines, on the one hand, the involvement of the election management bodies of the member states of the COI in this electoral network of the Indian Ocean; and on the other hand, the objectives of the network to know: the promotion of the independence of the OGE, the integrity and electoral justice, the transparency and inclusiveness of the electoral process, as well as the participation of women, young people , minorities and people with disabilities; the implementation of information and experience exchange programs among its members; the development of the professionalism of six members; the promotion of studies and research on good practices related to elections; the facilitation of the international influence of the specific electoral issues of the Indian Ocean.
M. Rahman has also seized the opportunity of this ambitious project to respond to the needs in terms of crisis prevention and mediation; the implementation of credible, transparent, peaceful and inclusive electoral processes; the promotion of good governance, through the strengthening of institutional capacities and the involvement of citizens in political and public life with particular attention to young people and women and the strengthening of the capacities of the IOC, particularly in its role of promotion of peace, stability, governance and the rule of law.
M. Lucas added that this agreement is very important for the country as well as the islands of the Indian Ocean. “In our meeting this morning (yesterday) with the President of the Republic Wavel Ramkalawan, he assured us of his support and he wants all our islands to develop well and come out with good electoral practices so that peace and stability reign in us country ».
This project is financed by the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) at the height of 8 million euros over 5 years.
During two days, the 15 representatives of the OGE of the Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius and the Seychelles who participated in the workshop were also able to make an assessment of the needs of each State in terms of support, exchange of experiences and d’appuis technical and identify common activities to develop over the next six months.
Through the establishment of this network, the IOC intends to contribute sustainably to the improvement of the skills of regional actors in the implementation of credible, transparent, peaceful and inclusive electoral processes, as well as in terms of support and professional follow-up of these processes.
The SG of the IOC concluded the ceremony underlining that “the establishment of an electoral network of the Indian Ocean participates, in effect, in the strengthening of the ties between our islands through the sharing of experiences, the exchange of expertise and a confident dialogue, at all levels, to promote peace and democratic culture.
Yesterday morning, the IOC delegation paid a visit to President Ramkalawan at the State House.
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