The European Centre for Electoral Support (ECES) participated in the 26th Annual General Conference (AGC) of the Electoral Commissions Forum of SADC countries (ECF-SADC) countries, held from 10 to 12 December 2024 in Seychelles and hosted by the Seychelles Electoral Commission.

As the supreme decision-making body of the Forum, the AGC brought together Chairpersons, Commissioners, and senior election officials from the 15 election management bodies of SADC countries. Established in 1998, the Forum plays a key role in strengthening electoral management and building institutional capacity across the region.

The 2024 conference was held under the theme “Digitalization and Youth Participation in Electoral Processes in the SADC Region,” providing a platform to discuss emerging trends, challenges, and opportunities related to digital technologies and youth engagement in elections. ECES contributed to these discussions by sharing its experience and engaging with regional stakeholders on innovative approaches to electoral processes and participation.

The conference was officially opened by the President of the Republic of Seychelles, Wavel Ramkalawan, and served as an important opportunity for dialogue, knowledge exchange, and collaboration to further strengthen electoral integrity and democratic processes in the SADC region.