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Straining without training? Capacity-related problems facing African election executives and officials
International Journal of African Renaissance Studies - Multi-, Inter- and Transdisciplinarity ( IF 0.4 ) Pub Date : 2017-01-02 , DOI: 10.1080/18186874.2017.1333282
Kealeboga J. Maphunye 1
Affiliation  

ABSTRACT This article argues that the empowerment of election officials and executives is usually overlooked, understated or simply ignored; yet elections cannot be conducted without plans in place to improve their efficiency and effectiveness; especially through training. As one of the foremost mechanisms for improving elections, training is crucial to organisational performance enhancement. However, training for election officials and executives is fairly new in many African countries. Generally incorporated in generic university or vocational institute courses globally, training is usually offered as a special tailor-made module for polling officials in western countries. Even then, it rarely covers the severe conditions election officials regularly face, especially in Africa. This article examines these issues based on a review of the extant literature, conceptual and theoretical reflection on election management, and practical interaction with some election authorities who participated as trainees in the Unisa Management of Democratic Elections in Africa (MDEA) course (2012–2014). The article concludes that the training of election officials and executives poses challenges for Africa; partly because some election management bodies (EMBs) prefer to “strain” rather than effectively train their members to ensure sustainable performance, and partly because others prefer short-term irrelevant training that undermines their organisational goals. These hurdles need to be overcome if Africa is to address its election-related challenges.

中文翻译:

没有训练就紧张?非洲选举行政人员和官员面临的能力相关问题

摘要 本文认为,选举官员和行政人员的赋权通常被忽视、低估或干脆被忽视;然而,如果没有制定提高效率和效力的计划,选举就无法进行;尤其是通过培训。作为改进选举的最重要机制之一,培训对于提高组织绩效至关重要。然而,在许多非洲国家,对选举官员和行政人员的培训是相当新鲜的。通常纳入全球通用大学或职业学院课程,培训通常作为为西方国家的投票官员量身定制的特殊模块提供。即便如此,它也很少涵盖选举官员经常面临的严峻条件,尤其是在非洲。本文基于对现有文献的回顾、对选举管理的概念和理论反思,以及与作为受训者参加 Unisa 非洲民主选举管理 (MDEA) 课程(2012-2014 年)的一些选举当局的实际互动,研究了这些问题。 )。文章的结论是,选举官员和行政人员的培训给非洲带来了挑战;部分原因是一些选举管理机构 (EMB) 更愿意“紧张”而不是有效地培训其成员以确保可持续的绩效,部分原因是其他人更喜欢短期不相关的培训,这会破坏其组织目标。如果非洲要解决与选举有关的挑战,就需要克服这些障碍。并与一些作为受训者参加了 Unisa 非洲民主选举管理 (MDEA) 课程(2012-2014 年)的选举当局进行了实际互动。文章的结论是,选举官员和行政人员的培训给非洲带来了挑战;部分原因是一些选举管理机构 (EMB) 更愿意“紧张”而不是有效地培训其成员以确保可持续的绩效,部分原因是其他人更喜欢短期不相关的培训,这会破坏其组织目标。如果非洲要解决与选举有关的挑战,就需要克服这些障碍。并与一些作为受训者参加了 Unisa 非洲民主选举管理 (MDEA) 课程(2012-2014 年)的选举当局进行了实际互动。文章的结论是,选举官员和行政人员的培训给非洲带来了挑战;部分原因是一些选举管理机构 (EMB) 更愿意“紧张”而不是有效地培训其成员以确保可持续的绩效,部分原因是其他人更喜欢短期不相关的培训,这会破坏其组织目标。如果非洲要解决与选举有关的挑战,就需要克服这些障碍。文章的结论是,选举官员和行政人员的培训给非洲带来了挑战;部分原因是一些选举管理机构 (EMB) 更愿意“紧张”而不是有效地培训其成员以确保可持续的绩效,部分原因是其他人更喜欢短期不相关的培训,这会破坏其组织目标。如果非洲要解决与选举有关的挑战,就需要克服这些障碍。文章的结论是,选举官员和行政人员的培训给非洲带来了挑战;部分原因是一些选举管理机构 (EMB) 更愿意“紧张”而不是有效地培训其成员以确保可持续的绩效,部分原因是其他人更喜欢短期无关的培训,这会破坏其组织目标。如果非洲要解决与选举有关的挑战,就需要克服这些障碍。
更新日期:2017-01-02
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