The development of regional associations of electoral organizations and the increasing internationalization of elections through advocacy of international standards for democratic elections led to the establishment of a global forum for discussion of EMB collaboration. The conference of the Global Electoral Organization (GEO) Network, which was first convened in Ottawa in April 1999, is a worldwide meeting of regional associations of electoral officers. Subsequent conferences were held in Mexico (2003), Hungary (2005), the United States (2007), Botswana (2011) and South Korea (2013). GEO conferences provide an opportunity for associations of electoral officials to meet in a global professional network and serve as a forum for identifying areas of need in electoral governance, and programmes that can be developed to respond to those needs.
The National Election Commission of the Republic of Korea initiated and led the launch of the Association of World Election Bodies (A-WEB), which held its inaugural assembly during the sixth GEO conference in October 2013. A-WEB is an international organization created with a vision to foster efficiency and effectiveness in conducting free, fair, transparent and participative elections worldwide. Membership in A-WEB is open to national EMBs. Regional associations of EMBs may join A-WEB as associate members, while international election-related organizations may become partners.
The ACE Electoral Knowledge Network (http://www.aceproject.org), which is a continuation and transformation of the original Administration and Cost of Elections (ACE) Project, is the result of a collaborative effort between International IDEA, EISA, Elections Canada, the INE of Mexico, IFES, the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA), UNEAD, The Carter Center and UNDP. The ACE Electoral Knowledge Network is a dynamic, online knowledge service that provides comprehensive and authoritative information on elections, promotes networking among election-related professionals and offers capacity development services. It features information on nearly every aspect of elections, with an emphasis on cost, sustainability, professionalism and trust in the electoral process. Its networking component, the ACE Practitioners’ Network, provides online access to a network of election professionals from all over the world to professional advisory services. It encourages election practitioners to collaborate on common issues and challenges and to generate, share and apply knowledge; help build common methods; and improve the professionalism of those engaged in activities related to credible, sustainable, peaceful and cost-effective elections.
The growing use of social networks has also facilitated contacts between election professionals, and numerous groups and forums dedicated to elections have sprung up on Facebook, LinkedIn and similar social media. Such networking creates additional opportunities for sharing experiences, identifying expertise and promoting election-related resources.
There is an advantage to examining certain electoral issues at the global level, and setting the stage for adaptation at the regional or national levels. These issues could include improved cost effectiveness in electoral administration, principles and good practices in electoral management, the effectiveness and affordability of new electoral technologies, legislative frameworks for elections and referendums, and mechanisms for strengthening electoral justice.
