Arab Organization for Electoral Management Bodies (ArabEMBs)
Six national electoral management bodies in the Arab region launched in Beirut on the 8th -9th of June, the “Arab Organization for Electoral Management Bodies – ArabEMBs” — the first such professional organization dedicated to promoting cooperation on all aspects of election management in the region.
Representatives of the founding six electoral management bodies of Jordan, Iraq, Lebanon, Libya, Palestine, and Yemen signed the charter of the new organization. Also the Election Network in the Arab Region (ENAR), participated in the launch through the executive director Dr. Nizam Assaf.
The establishment of the organization represents the final step of a strenuous process. Primarily, the creation of a preparatory committee in Cordoba, Spain in June 2014. Then, the writing of a first draft of a charter for the organization, which took place in January in Beirut. After which came the final charter including the organization’s executive, financial, and transitional regulations at a meeting in the Dead Sea in March 2015.
All the above was made possible with the assistance of the UNDP Regional Electoral Support Project for Middle East and North Africa, financed by the Swedish International Development Agency.
The new organization will enhance professional development and exchange on elections administration, to ensure integrity and transparency.
