UNDP 2021-2023 Support to reform of election systems and processes

UNDP-Mali has the Malian transitional government's formal request to support the transition to a democratic governance, to contribute to electoral reform and support the organisation of general elections. In collaboration with MINUSMA and UN Women, UNDP-Mali has applied for funding to support these two processes with a total budget of 55 million USD to be carried out between July 1, 2021 to December 31, 2023. Around 46 percent of the intervention is financed by Canada, EU, Norway, Spain in addition to Sweden. UNDP-Mali is in discussion with other countries that are interested in contributing. UNDP-Mali is a key actor with regards to elections in Mali and has been involved in organizing elections since Mali transitioned to democratic elections in 1992. At the request of the Secretary General of the UN, a Needs Assessment Mission (NAM) has been carried Spring 2021 regarding the possibilities of UN to support elections in Mali. The final report recommended a renewed support to UNDP-Mali to support electoral reform processes and the organizing of elections. In addition, the report recommends the set-up of a basket fund mechanism so to facilitate the coordinating role of UNDP-Mali, in addition to ensure the coherency and relevance of the support of the international community. The contribution includes a niched support to International IDEA (five million SEK) in the domain of constitutional and electoral reform. The theory of change that underlies the proposed program is as follows: If the political expectations on political and institutional reform are met and if the Malian society trust the electoral institutions to an increasing extent and participates in the elections and if the political actors can solve their political conflicts then Mali will evolve in a phase of democratic governance. UNDP-Mali has two result areas. The first is technical, logistical and financial support to the transitional government to prepare for elections. The expected results are constitutional oversight and the creation of new election districts. The other result area is practical support to the organisation and implementation of elections. The expected results of these activities are among others: the completion of electoral lists, training of election workers, planning of elections, support to the inclusion of women in the elections, voter outreach and election related conflict prevention and mitigation.