Across Africa, citizen election observers continue to protect democracy as civic space comes under pressure.
However, their work is becoming more challenging as the forces shaping elections extend far beyond what happens at the ballot box. Democracy is also influenced by money and technology. When these forces are misused, elections become less about voters’ choices and more about who can afford to influence them.
The third Electoral Integrity in Africa Summit themed ”Money, Technology & Civic Rights: Defending Electoral Integrity in Africa”, organised by the African Election Observers Network (AfEONet) together with the Center for Democratic Development Ghana (CDD-Ghana) and the West Africa Election Observers Network from 23 to 24 September in Accra (Ghana) will bring together election observers, civil society, and democracy experts to explore these challenges and identify practical solutions to safeguard electoral integrity from financial and digital threats.
Confirm your participation (in-person or virtual) by 18 September 2026.
The programme will be available soon.
Programme and more
Venue: TBC
8:00 – 9:00 Arrival & Registration
9:00 – 9:50 Welcome Remarks
9:50 – 10:40 Session 1: Examining the multiple threats to democratic governance and shaping new solutions
Africa’s democracy faces growing pressure from shrinking civic space, restrictive electoral laws, money politics, low youth participation, and digital threats. As the Summit’s curtain-raiser, this session explores how these forces constrain citizen election observation, distort political competition, and undermine inclusive digital participation and public trust.
10:40 – 11:30 Group Photo & Tea Break
11:30 – 13:00 Session 2: Good Practices for Accreditation of Nonpartisan Citizen Election Observers in Africa
Civic space for citizen election observers is shrinking across Africa through restrictive laws, administrative barriers, intimidation and surveillance. Building on the curtain-raiser, this plenary draws on AfEONet’s findings and field experience to assess these challenges, identify what works, and develop practical strategies to protect civic space, strengthen citizen election observation, and advance democratic participation.
13:00 – 14:00 Lunch Break
14:00 – 15:30 Breakout sessions
Breakout 1: Solutions to Challenges of Citizen Election Observation in Closed Civic Spaces (Fishbowl)
Drawing on AfEONet’s State of Civic Space for Citizen Election Observers in Africa report, this session explores how restrictive laws, accreditation barriers, intimidation, surveillance, disinformation and funding constraints are shrinking space for citizen election observation. Observers from restricted civic spaces will share lessons and resilience strategies, focusing on practical ways to protect observer independence, strengthen safeguards, counter threats and build regional solidarity.
Breakout 2: Continental Norms, Practices and Collective Action for Electoral Integrity (Fishbowl)
This session explores how shared African norms, standards and good practices can strengthen electoral integrity. It will highlight lessons, promote peer learning and identify opportunities for greater coordination, mutual support and collective action to advance credible, inclusive elections and democratic resilience.
15:30 – 17:00 Session 3: Young People and Other Special Interest Groups are Stepping up for Democracy: But are Systems Letting them in?
This session will explore practical ways to strengthen youth inclusion through electoral and political reforms, digital engagement, accessible political finance and youth leadership—positioning young people as co-creators of democratic innovation and electoral integrity.
17:00 – 18:00 Launch of the Central African Regional Network of Election Observers: Regional Organisation for Democracy and Electoral Regularity (ORDRE)
Please note that the programme is subject to change up until the date of the event.
Venue: TBC
8:00 – 9:00 Arrival & Registration
9:00 – 10:30 Session 4: Artificial Intelligence, Digital Manipulation and Information Disorder in Elections: Launch of Report of Uptake of AI by EMBs in Africa
AI is reshaping elections across Africa—opening new possibilities while creating new threats. From deepfakes and disinformation to surveillance and cyberattacks, this session will explore how to harness technology while protecting electoral integrity, digital rights and public trust, and advancing an African approach to responsible AI in democracy.
10:30 – 11:00 Tea Break
11:00 – 13:00 Breakout sessions
Breakout 3: Validating the Good Practices for Accreditation and Non-Partisian Election Observers in Africa (Fishbowl)
The session will build consensus around transparent, inclusive and rights-based accreditation systems that strengthen trust and cooperation between citizen observers and electoral authorities, while advancing a common African framework for observer accreditation.
Breakout 4: Showcasing Best Practices in Promoting Electoral Integrity
An interactive marketplace of ideas, tools and proven practices strengthening electoral integrity across Africa. Through demonstrations and peer exchange, participants will explore what works, what can be adapted, and how successful solutions can be replicated across different electoral contexts.
13:00 – 14:00 Lunch Break
14:00 – 15:30 Session 5: Money, Power and Elections: Confronting the Financing of Politics in Africa
Building on the July 2026 Accra convening, this session will advance efforts toward an African Model Law on Political Finance Transparency. It will examine money’s influence on elections, strengthen transparency and accountability, and explore African-led solutions to political finance, state capture and illicit financial flows.
15:30 – 17:00 Presentation and Adoption of the 2026 Accra Communiqué
17:00 – 17:30 Closing Remarks
Please note that the programme is subject to change up until the date of the event.
Get to know all speakers!
Coming soon.
Venue
TBC
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Use the hashtag #ElectoralIntegritySummit3 or #EIS3
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