A WEB

[Opinion] 'Super Election Year' and the Executive Board of A-WEB

by professor of Incheon National University, Dr. Junhan Lee

In 2024, known as the ‘Super Election Year,’ over half of the global population, totaling more than 4.2 billion voters, will exercise their voting rights across more than 70 countries worldwide. Taiwan held presidential and legislative elections in January, and Russia conducted presidential elections from March 15 to 17. South Korea is gearing up for general elections in April, and India, the world's most populous country, will also hold them from April to May. Large-scale elections are lined up, including the European Parliament elections in June and the U.S. presidential election in November, which poises to shape global trajectories.

Elections serve as arenas for the exchange of votes between political candidates and voters, with voters making the crucial decision of selecting representatives to whom they delegate their authority. To ensure the credibility of elections, the role of Election Management Bodies (EMBs) and their capabilities in maintaining election integrity become paramount. Located in Songdo, Incheon, the Association of World Elections Bodies (A-WEB) stands as an international organization dedicated to exchanging election management practices for EMBs worldwide.

The 12th Executive Board meeting of A-WEB is scheduled for March 19 to 21 in Incheon, representing a pivotal moment for the organization. Established in 2013 under the initiative of the Republic of Korea, A-WEB aims to promote free, fair, transparent, and participatory elections worldwide efficiently and effectively. A-WEB is the world’s largest international organization in the field of election management, with 121 EMBs from 111 countries. Given that about half of A-WEB's member EMBs are conducting elections this year, 2024 bears significant importance for A-WEB.

The Executive Board meeting serves as A-WEB’s key decision-making body, comprising EMBs from over 20 countries spanning all continents, including South Africa, South Korea, the Philippines, Indonesia, Peru, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. This meting will also involve participation from international organizations such as the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) based in Stockholm, Sweden, and the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) based in Washington, D.C. recognized for their contributions to the spread of democracy.

The agenda of the Executive Board meeting is deeply intertwined with election management worldwide. Discussions will mainly focus on innovation and advancing the election management system and efforts to expand the outcomes globally. To this end, the Executive Board of A-WEB will serve as an evaluation committee to select exemplary election management practices from around the world. Submitted cases cover various topics of interest to EMBs worldwide, including combating misinformation, utilizing IT for election management, effective voter registration and management systems, and promoting voter education.

Moreover, the theme of 'Advanced Experiences in the Fight against Gender Political Violence and Collaborative Strategies' also garners attention. The representatives from the Election Disputes Tribunal (TCE) of Ecuador, who proposed this topic, will present Ecuador's recent legislative cases, judicial interventions, and educational programs aimed at combating gender-based political violence. In Ecuador, the practice of segregating men and women in voting locations is intended to either prevent women's participation in voting or coerce them to vote. Participants will explore Ecuador’s multidimensional approach and exchange expertise on international solutions to gender political violence.

A-WEB serves as a vital platform for EMBs worldwide to exchange the latest trends and best practices, thereby enhancing their election management capabilities through mutual learning. As A-WEB continues to establish global authority in promoting fair and transparent elections, the Executive Board meeting in South Korea during the "Super Election Year" is anticipated to promote democratic values further worldwide.

To read in Korean: [시론] '슈퍼 선거의 해'와 A-WEB의 집행이사회 - 인천일보 (incheonilbo.com)​