It is expected that through this contribution the United Nations Agencies will be able to implement programmes and activities focused on women’s political empowerment, enhanced youth and first time voters participation in electoral processes and promote democratic principles in the Electoral Management Bodies in the preparations of the crucial 2012 national elections.
Norway's support will make a contribution to the implementation of the UNDP’s electoral assistance programme that promotes an electoral cycle approach by providing expertise, advisory support and mentoring to the electoral management bodies in the pre-electoral, electoral and post-electoral period.
A key component of the joint UN support to the 2012 electoral process is the support to strengthen active participation of women voters and women candidates through training, capacity building and sensitization of both men and women on gender equality and women’s empowerment for women’s leadership and participation in politics and decision-making, which will be spearheaded by UN Women.
With high numbers of youth expected to participate in the elections, the "Youth and first time voter initiative" led by UNICEF and local partners aims at enhancing the levels of participation by first time young voters by increasing their access to election related information, utilizing existing youth structures to positively mobilize youth and to advocate for non-violent dialogue mechanisms to promote peaceful elections.