Project of Support to the Electoral Process in Suriname

Objective

The project aims to provide assistance and support to the Republic of Suriname ahead of, during, and after its 2020 National Assembly and sub-national elections. The project will focus on capacity building for relevant institutions, technical support in the administration and conduct of elections, including the preparation of ballot papers and voter cards, encouraging the participation of women, the indigenous population and persons with disabilities, developing party financing regulations and a political party code of conduct, media training, and a voter outreach education campaign.

 The project will aim to develop sustainable capacity building for relevant institutions in order to ensure that elections are carried out in a coordinated manner, with increased standards of transparency. The project will also aim to educate Surinamese voters, especially first-time voters, about the process in order to ensure greater awareness. Special attention will be given to the participation of women and in providing access to persons with disabilities. The project will focus on supporting the development of a political party finance framework as well as on an electoral code of conduct.

The desired strategic outcome is to create the conditions conducive to holding credible elections in 2020.

Results

  • Electoral institutions are better equipped to perform their duties to conduct inclusive and credible electoral processes 
  • Citizens are educated about the electoral process, especially first-time voters. Opportunities are presented for disadvantaged groups to learn about and participate in elections. Citizens are well informed of the process of submitting complaints, if any, to relevant institutions and are aware of each institution’s role in the electoral process. 
  • Political parties financing is regulated and parties agree to a code of conduct regarding the elections.
  • Civil Society organizations are able to take a more proactive role during the electoral period.
  • A wide-ranging analysis and evaluation of the project and the role played by the stakeholders with the aim of producing a lessons learned document for future engagement.

Project documentation