The Question

This question was posed on behalf of Beatricia Revenco, UNDP Moldova

We plan to support to Moldovan CEC in development of the CEC Communications Strategy. In this context, I am looking for European electoral authorities that have developed such Electoral Communication Strategies for themselves. 

We would like to organize a study visit for members of Moldovan CEC to one of these electoral bodies, to learn from their experience in communication area. 

We know about the UK, but they are not available to receive our delegation this year. 

Summary of Responses

PN members weighed in on different aspects of election commission capacity and communication strategies. Members offering suggestions mostly drew from the experiences of their countries, and few members from European countries weighed in.

One member from Ecuador suggested the following steps to implement a communications strategy: creating a news center in the electoral body to generate press; having an active relationship with the media that delivers regular information; generating a database of media alerts, opinion pieces, newsletters, and other information that is disseminated regularly; ensuring that the information is published in all languages spoken in the country; and lastly, generating ethical commitments between the media and the election commission during the pre-election period.

Some members suggested election commissions to study based on their communications strategies. For instance, a member from Rwanda suggested visiting the Rwandan National Electoral Commission as its communication strategy was effective in the 2013 legislative elections.  One PN member from Romania suggested contacting the Romanian Permanent Electoral Authority (Authoritatea Electorala Permanenta a Romaniei), and another member suggested considering the Federal Election Institute in Mexico (Instituto Federal Electoral, IFE).

Finally, a member from Ukraine shared that the Ukrainian CEC also hoped to conduct a study tour to build CEC capacity in awareness-raising campaigns.

Contributing PN Members: 

• Victor Hugo Ajila
• George Le Mac
• Anna Shalimova
• Liberata Irambona
• Aram Jamal
• Jean Bosco Hitimana 

Hola:

Aunque la pregunta está orientada a la experiencia europea, quizá pueda servir de ayuda la experiencia latinoamericana.

La estrategia podría incluir lo siguiente:

1. Creación de un centro de noticias en el organismo electoral desde el cual se genera la información que quiere difundir la institución.

2. Entregar la información en lugar de que tengan que buscarla. Esto reduce tensiones y permite una relación más fluida con los medios. En momentos de crisis o en época de mayor demanda de información, el organismo electoral puede establecer que se entregará reportes en 1, 2, horas, etc. La directriz se debe cumplir exactamente para lograr la credibilidad del organismo electoral.

3. Los periodistas y quienes bucan información electoral se desesperan cuando no encuentran la información. Por eso, la recomendación anterior es importante.

4. Generar una base de datos propia de medios comunicacionales, generadores de opinión, organizaciones políticas, a las que se distribuya la información mediante boletines, notas, alertas, etc., de manera regular.

4. Si existen en el país diversos idiomas, grupos étnicos, también se los debe incluir en las bases de distribución; inclusive generar documentos en cada uno de los idiomas que se hablan en el país.

5. En la etapa pre-electoral, con la suficiente antelación, se puede generar pactos o compromisos éticos entre los medios y el organismo electoral. Nunca es suficiente pero esos acercamientos permiten conocer las posiciones de los actores y generan ambientes de distención para tratar los temas importantes

6. Se debe considerar que estas paustas se complementan entre si. Lo más importante es que la comunicación sea manejada por expertos y que emane del organismo electoral.

Cualquier información adicional quedo a sus órdenes.

Saludos desde Ecuador.

Víctor Hugo Ajila

TRIBUNAL CONTENCIOSO ELECTORAL

Quito - Ecuador

Dear Beatricia,

I sugest to you to contact Authoritatea Electorala Permanenta a Romaniei...Romanian Permanent Electoral Authority...they speak same languages...

Respectfully,

George

Dear Beatricia,

This topic is also interesting for us, thanks for raising this question. In Ukraine, we plan to work on developing the CEC capacity to conduct awareness-raising campaigns. We think about inviting experts to Ukraine rather than organizing  a study visit abroad, but  I'll follow the answers to your question as well. Is UK a good example? 

Dear Beatricia,

I propose to you to visit Rwanda National Electoral Commission. We have a communication strategy and by experience it is an efficient tool in election process. In September 2013 we have conducting our Legislative election and really the communication strategy was succefully perform our election process. Depending on that we have create a media team end Journalist synergy was helpful for election public awareness.

This is my contact  if you need more information, you may contact me by phone (+ 250 78848 0640/788341177).

As conclusion, I insist it is very important to have a communication strategy in our EMBs.

Thanks. 

Dear Beatricia,
hope you are doing well,

I prefer the ACE's attempt to cooperate at development of moldovan CEC by their participating in one of the EU electoral bodies, although according my knowledge in this field, I think Federal election Institute in Mexico is a suitable electoral body to service your request.. good luck

Chez nous au BURUNDI, la communcation pendant la période électorale est beaucoup développé. D'abord, tous les membres de l'organe de gestion des élections sont en flotte et dans une même ligne et compagnie  téléphonique pour minimiser les coûts et faciliter la communication. Ensuite, pendant les opérations électorales, les médias travaillent en synérgie sur tout le térritoire national pour informer l'opinion nationale et internationale le déroulement des opérations de vote jusqu'à la proclamation définitive des résultats.