Question:

This question is posted by ACE on behalf of PN member Jeff Fischer.

Is there a global directory of women election commissioners and chief electoral officers?

Summary of Responses:

Members of the Practitioners’ Network pointed out that while there is no global directory of women in the governing structure of electoral management bodies, such a tool would be able to highlight the extent to which women are involved in the management of elections at high levels.

To our knowledge, there is at least one national directory of Electoral Councillors (those who govern different EMBs) in Mexico. Also of note, since 2009, four out of five Main Electoral Officers of the National Electoral Council in Venezuela have been women.

Although it is not a directory, the International Foundation for Electoral Systems’ (IFES) Women's Electoral Leadership & Learning (WELL) Network, launched in August 2015, is a platform for mobilizing champions working to improve gender equality and women’s empowerment in electoral and political processes. This global network of female and male election leaders can use their influence and expertise to draw attention to gender equality in elections. IFES WELL connects experts and best practices to needs identified by programs and partners in order to support women and men as equal partners in electoral and political leadership.

Saludos,
Que yo conozca no existe un directorio mundial de Comisionados electorales.

Me permito citar el caso de Venezuela, pues en las últimas dos directivas, desde el año 2009, 4 de los 5 Rectores Electorales Principales (máximo cargo del Consejo Nacional Electoral,  ente rector de la administración electoral de Venezuela) son mujeres.

Las Rectoras Electorales Principales son:

• Tibisay Lucena; Presidente (desde 2006); designada en el 2006 y ratificada en el 2014.
• Sandra Oblitas; Vicepresidente (desde 2009); designada en el 2006 y ratificada en el 2014.
• Socorro Hernández; Rectora Electoral Principal; designada en el 2009.
• Tania D'Amelio; Rectora Electoral Principal; Designada en el 2009.

Saludos:

A pesar de los esfuerzos que varias autoridades administrativas en materia de elecciones han desplegado, son acciones focalizadas. En el caso mexicano (que es el que conozco a profundidad), a nivel federal se han desarrollado varias acciones afirmativas a favor de las mujeres. Existe un Directorio de Consejeros y Consejeras Electorales que se visibiliza al iniciarse el proceso electoral. Sin embargo, no conozco un Directorio Mundial con perspectiva de Género, específicamente de mujeres en cargos de dirección (cualquiera que sea su denominación) en órganos electorales temporales o permanentes a escala global. 

A ma connaissance, il n'y a pas un roster dédié spécialement aux femmes. Le roster est unique et ce que je sais, à compétence égale, la femme est privilégiée.

I have not heard of any directory of women involved in electoral administration at any level. However, if it is compiled, hopefully it would play a role on enlightening the world about the extent to which women are involved in electoral administration the world over.

In August this year, IFES launched its Women’s Electoral Leadership and Learning (IFES WELL) network - see more at http://www.ifes.org/news/association-world-election-bodies-holds-annual-general-assembly. I have not been able to find further info on this network yet and it may not be a directory as such but may be worthwhile exploring for your purposes.

The National Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone has 5 Board of Commissioners:

1. Mohamed N'fah Alie Conteh - Chair/Chief Electoral Commissioner (Male)

2. Macksood Gibril Sesay - Electoral Commissioner - North (Male)

3. Augusta Bockarie - Electoral Commissioner - South (Female)

4. Miatta French - Electoral Commissioner - West (Female)

5. Vacant           - Electoral Commissioner - East  

The Election Commission, Nepal have 5 board of Commissioners:

1. Dr. Ayodhee Prasad Yadav - Officiating Chief Election Commissioner (Male)
   
2. Ila Sharma - Election Commissioner (Female)
3. Vacant
4. Vacant
5. Vacant