The Electoral Commissions Forum of SADC countries (ECF-SADC) was amongst the EMB Networks that participated at the “AU-REC’s Reflection meeting on Electoral Processes in Africa on 8th to 13 April 2025 in Johannesburg, South Africa. This meeting was organized by the Department of Political Affairs, Peace and Security (DPAPS) of the African Union Commission (AUC) through the Democracy and Elections Unit (DEU).

The meeting started with the Programme Steering Committee (PSC) Meeting on 8^th April 2025 where key institutional beneficiaries on the project to support to the Harmonization of Pan-African Electoral Capacities delivered statements including achievements and challenges. As part of the EU funded project on supporting the Harmonization of Pan-African Electoral Capacities (SPEC) Programme ,  implemented by International IDEA and EISA , the four-day meeting offered  a platform for the AU, RECs, EMB Networks and EMBs to reflect on emerging electoral trends observed in 2024 and to plan their support and interventions for countries preparing for elections in 2025 and 2026.

Some of the take aways from the meeting included the following;

• The meeting provided a platform for key stakeholders, including the African Union (AU), Regional Economic Communities (RECs), and professional networks of Election Management Bodies (EMBs) to invest in fostering collaboration, coordination and sharing of information.
• The meeting provided an opportunity for all key electoral stakeholders to enhance electoral processes by identifying gaps and learn lessons on what works and what does not work.
• The meeting provided an opportunity for electoral partners to get a picture and understanding of the needs (technical / financial) of the EMBs conducting elections in 2025 / 26.
• Key electoral stakeholders benefitted from a session dedicated to the establishment of the African Community of Practice (CoP) on Electoral Processes. This initiative aims to create a pan-African platform that brings together Election Management Bodies, Regional Economic Communities, civil society organizations, policymakers, and technical partners to enhance democratic governance and uphold electoral integrity across the continent.