Within the framework of the South Programme II, the Venice Commission jointly with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Independent High Electoral Commission of Tunisia supported the holding of the 2nd Annual General Assembly of the Organisation of Arab Electoral Management Bodies (ArabEMBs) in Tunis on 7-9 February 2017.
The Assembly, which was structured around a workshop on the theme of ‘Strengthening the Independence of Electoral Management Bodies’, was attended by about 80 participants from ministries, electoral authorities, human rights institutions as well as international organisations. The workshop allowed the EMBs of Arab States to network, share experience and exchange on the tenets of EMB independence, international and regional standards, as well as the best practices for securing the impartiality of EMBs. A prominent part of the discussions was also dedicated to identifying main independence challenges that face the Arab Electoral Management Bodies in a bid to encourage mutual support in overcoming hindrances to nonpartisan and transparent elections.
