Capacity Building with E-HORN and ELOG

As part of growing cooperation with African observer organisations, EPDE conducted three joint trainings with the East and Horn of Africa Election Observers Network (E-HORN), in collaboration with Kenya’s Election Observation Group (ELOG). These sessions focused on social media monitoring – an increasingly critical area for detecting disinformation, coordinated manipulation, and online interference in electoral processes. The trainings provided participating organisations with practical tools and methodological approaches for monitoring digital environments before, during, and after elections.

AfEONet Summit in Lusaka, Zambia

EPDE took part in Electoral Integrity Summit 2 on 11-12 November, hosted by the African Election Observers Network (AfEONet) in Lusaka under the theme “Defending Democracy and Reclaiming Civic Space.” Gathering election observers from across the continent, the summit addressed the shrinking space for civic participation, pressures on independent oversight, and the need for stronger democratic safeguards.

EPDE’s Chair of the Board, Stefanie Schiffer, Session 2“Rethinking Financing Democracy in an Era of Shifting Global Support at 4:48:18.

EPDE Team Lead Adam Busuleanu at the Session 4: Elevating Electoral Integrity Through Strong Electoral Recommendation Frameworks and Building Democratic Resilience in Africa at 8:22:27.

Pilot Study Trip to Kenya: By-Elections Observation

EPDE carried out its first pilot activity observing elections in Africa through a study trip to the by-elections in Kenya. Observers held meetings with key national institutions, including:

• the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC),
• the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP),
• and leading political parties such as Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and United Democratic Alliance (UDA).

Observers were briefed by Kenyan experts and organisations working on technology and innovation, digital integrity, media landscapes, research, and political analysis—including Ushahidi, KICTANet, Strathmore iLabAfrica, Code for Africa, IDS, NDI, and others. Participants explored core areas of contemporary election monitoring: from campaign financing and identifying illicit flows, to understanding evolving media ecosystems and the use of digital technologies in elections.

This pilot initiative marks an important stepping stone toward stronger cross-regional cooperation and exchange between African and European observer organisations.