Electoral Education Programmes
1 Voter Education
Sondelani Sizovota
This is a voter education programme designed to assist voters in making an informed choice during elections. It guides the facilitator step by step through the workshop process.
The programme has 2 focus areas
- Focus 1: Democracy and elections.
- Focus 2: Making an informed choice and casting your vote.
This is available as a stand alone workbook at a cost of R45.
Make yourself heard
An educational programme on democracy and the electoral process for high schools. The materials have been designed to fit into the following learning areas of Curriculum 2005:
- Life Orientation
- Language, literature and communication
- Human and social sciences.
The programme focuses on
- Democracy as a concept as well as a lifestyle.
- Skills and knowledge required to participate in elections.
This is available as a stand alone workbook at a cost of R45.
2 Electoral Observation
This programme is designed to assist Civil Society organisations who are involved in building capacity for election observation.
Programme Outcomes
At the end of the programme the observers will
- know and understand their role as election observers
- have an understanding of electoral law
- have been exposed to the voting process
- have been exposed to the counting process
- be familiar with reporting procedures
- be able to effectively perform their task in contributing to a free and fair election
This programme has been designed to suit the South African context but can be adapted to any situation.
3 Media and Elections
This programme offers reporters involved in media coverage of elections the opportunity to reflect on this task and to develop their capacity in this regard.
Aspects of election reporting the course covers include
- Identifying political and historical factors that impact on the democratic processes - both local and regional.
- Knowing the relevant electoral legislation.
- Considering the role of media in contributing to electoral conflict.
- Identifying the role of journalists in promoting democratic electoral processes.
- Considering ways in which gender is portrayed in electoral reporting.
This programme is tailor-made to suit specific needs and is trained by EISA staff.
4 Party Agent Training
Political party agents play an important part in the electoral process including the pre, during and after election periods. In order to fulfil their task efficiently and effectively EISA offers a programme to party agents. This is a one day programme and covers the principles of democracy, identifying the indicators with which to assess the freeness and fairness of elections and the legislative framework and electoral regulations within which the election takes place.
This programme is tailor-made for specific countries and trained by EISA staff.