13th New Commissioners Orientation Programme for Southern Africa, 2026.
Johannesburg,
South Africa,
3-5 June 2026
The Electoral Commissions Forum of SADC Countries (ECF-SADC), i s pleased to be hosted by the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) of South Africa i n partnership with the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) to organize the 13th New Commi ssi oners’ Ori entati on (NCO) i n the above period.
The 13 th NCO bri ngs together Chai rpersons, Commi ssi oners and Chi ef Electi on Offi cers from si x (6) Election Management Bodies i n the Southern African region who have been recently appointed to their positions. over the past year.
The delegates for the 13 th cohort of the regional NCO are drawn from: Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, Seychelles, and South Africa. This programme i s co-funded by the European Uni on through the Strengthening Pan-African Capacities for Electoral Observation and Assistance (SPEC) project, that i s being implemented by International IDEA.
Professional and capable electoral leadership i s essential to delivering credible, transparent, and peaceful elections. The NCO Programme addresses this need by equipping newly appointed commissioners with the knowledge, skills, and practical tools required to effectively manage electoral processes and uphold democratic standards. It also provides a valuable platform for peer learning, collaboration, and the exchange of regional experiences. Since its launch i n 2012, the NCO Programme has become a key platform for capacity development and knowledge sharing among EMBs i n Africa.
Through this joint initiative, the partners reaffirm their shared commitment to strengthening democratic institutions, enhancing electoral integrity, and promoting credible electoral processes across Southern Africa.
Download – Concept Note NCO, 2026
Contact Persons For enquiries about the programme, kindly reach out to the following
Olufunto Akinduro,
Senior Adviser,
Electoral Processes,
International IDEA
O.Akinduro@idea.int
Hilda Modisane,
Executive Secretary,
ECF-SADC
hmodisane@ecfsadc.org
Mlungisi Kelembe,
Chief of Staff,
IEC South Africa
KelembeM@elections.org.za
