20th International Electoral Symposium and Awards

The 20th International Electoral Symposium and Awards, held in Santo Domingo, served as a global nexus for discussions on the evolving challenges and opportunities in election management. Co-hosted by the International Centre for Parliamentary Studies (ICPS) and the Central Election Board of the Dominican Republic, the event brought together electoral commissioners, academics, and industry experts to share insights, foster collaboration, and celebrate innovation in the field.

Common Theme: Empowering the Electoral Workforce

Across two days, the symposium emphasized the critical role of supporting electoral staff to uphold the integrity and efficiency of democratic processes. From leveraging cutting-edge technology to exploring institutional reforms, the discussions consistently returned to the importance of equipping electoral workforces with the tools, skills, and knowledge needed to navigate contemporary challenges.

ICPS’s SkillWise platform emerged as a focal point in these conversations, illustrating how comprehensive and scalable training solutions can empower Electoral Management Bodies (EMBs) to address the complexities of modern elections.

Day 1: Combating Disinformation & Harnessing AI

Opening Remarks

The symposium opened with addresses by Roman Jáquez, President of the JCE, and Matt Gokhool, CEO of ICPS, who underscored the dual imperatives of combating disinformation and leveraging technology responsibly in electoral processes.

Morning Panel: Countering Electoral Disinformation

Sy Mamabolo, CEO of the Election Commission of South Africa, joined Samira Saba of Smartmatic and Ana Laura Maltos from Tecnológico de Monterrey in a discussion on tackling electoral disinformation. The panel explored strategies ranging from legislative safeguards to public education campaigns. Speakers shared case studies highlighting how misinformation can erode trust and the innovative measures taken to counteract these trends.

Keynotes on the Impact of Disinformation

  • Dr. Madhukar Gupta, Commissioner of the State Election Commission of Rajasthan, India, delivered a compelling keynote, “One Nation, One Election,” which explored systemic inefficiencies in election cycles and the potential of simultaneous elections to streamline processes and reduce costs.
  • Ingrid Bicu, a specialist in disinformation, highlighted protective measures against harmful narratives targeting electoral integrity, emphasising the need for robust monitoring systems and rapid response mechanisms.

Afternoon Panel: AI in Elections

Thomas Hicks of the US Election Assistance Commission and Eduardo Correia from Smartmatic discussed the transformative potential of AI in election logistics. Topics included the use of AI in voter registration and ballot counting, as well as ethical considerations surrounding data privacy and security.

Fringe Demonstrations

The day concluded with industry showcases, including live demonstrations of technological tools designed to enhance electoral transparency and efficiency.

Day 2: Supporting Electoral Staff & Technological Innovations

Keynote on Workforce Development

The second day opened with a keynote by Sonali Campion of the Electoral Integrity Project, who highlighted the importance of creating robust frameworks for training election staff. She stressed that empowering the electoral workforce with tailored training is crucial for addressing challenges such as democratic backsliding and voter disengagement.

SkillWise Presentation: Addressing Workforce Needs

At the symposium, Paul Greenhalgh from ICPS introduced SkillWise, an innovative training platform designed to support Electoral Management Bodies (EMBs) in preparing their workforces. SkillWise tackles the challenges of training large, diverse teams—both permanent and temporary—by providing a scalable, consistent, and auditable solution.

Key Features:

  • Scalable Training: Delivers training to large numbers of staff across jurisdictions.
  • Real-Time Monitoring: Tracks learner progress to ensure timely competency achievement.
  • Auditable Records: Validates both theoretical knowledge and practical skills for compliance.
  • Customizable Dashboards: Tailors training to local needs and integrates existing qualifications.

Greenhalgh emphasized that SkillWise bridges the gap between academic insights and real-world application, helping EMBs institutionalize training for long-term workforce development. The platform supports rapid deployment for temporary workers and continuous professional development for permanent staff, ensuring readiness for modern electoral challenges.

This theme of empowering the electoral workforce resonated throughout the symposium. Speakers like Sonali Campion and panelists from the Philippines, Georgia, and the US highlighted the need for standardized, scalable training solutions like SkillWise to enhance election integrity.

SkillWise emerged as a practical tool for building resilient, well-prepared teams—critical for safeguarding democracy in an era of increasing complexity.

Morning Panel: Safeguarding Democracy through Workforce Training

This panel featured Helen G. Aguila-Flores of the Philippine Commission on Elections, Ketevan Karenashvili from the CEC of Georgia, and Dean Logan of Los Angeles County. Discussions centered on the intersection of professional development and electoral integrity, with examples of how structured training programs can prevent errors and bolster public trust.

Keynote: The Role of the EAC in 2024 and Beyond

Thomas Hicks provided insights into the challenges faced by the US Election Assistance Commission in preparing for the 2024 elections. He stressed the importance of workforce readiness in managing evolving threats such as cyberattacks and misinformation.

Fringe Demonstrations & Closing Remarks

The day concluded with additional demonstrations of tools supporting electoral operations and reflections on how SkillWise and similar innovations can shape the future of electoral training.

SkillWise: A Solution to a Common Problem

Amidst the two days of discussions, ICPS SkillWise provided a solution to the shared challenges identified by EMBs worldwide. Its potential to transform training processes resonated across sessions, aligning with the symposium’s overarching theme of workforce empowerment.

SkillWise’s capabilities—such as real-time progress tracking, consistent delivery across jurisdictions, and support for both permanent and temporary staff—highlighted its alignment with the needs of modern electoral commissions. By institutionalizing training, EMBs can ensure their teams are equipped to handle both routine tasks and unforeseen challenges with confidence and competence.

Awards Ceremony: Celebrating Excellence

The symposium concluded with the International Electoral Awards, recognizing achievements across categories such as Electoral Conflict Management and Accessibility for All. These accolades celebrated the dedication and ingenuity of individuals and organizations advancing democratic practices globally.

You can see the winners of the awards here.

Conclusion

The 20th International Electoral Symposium reinforced the importance of supporting the electoral workforce as the backbone of democratic systems. Through collaborative discussions, practical demonstrations, and thought leadership, the event showcased how EMBs can rise to the challenges of the 21st century. ICPS SkillWise emerged not just as a tool but as a catalyst for reimagining how commissions prepare their teams to uphold the integrity of elections worldwide.