As the local and national elections scheduled for 28 December 2025 approach, the Central African Republic is taking an important step towards strengthening the rule of law and the credibility of its electoral process. In this context, the European Centre for Electoral Support (ECES) is organising an expanded capacity-building workshop on electoral dispute resolution and electoral observation by magistrates, with technical support from Ginger-Sofreco and EISA, funding from the European Union, and logistical support from UN Women.
This initiative follows on from the training sessions conducted in September 2025 for members of the Constitutional Council. At the request of the latter, the workshop adopts an expanded approach by bringing together, for the first time, all actors involved at different stages of electoral dispute resolution, with the aim of strengthening coherence and rigor in practices. Electoral dispute resolution is a central pillar of the credibility of elections. Lessons learned from previous electoral cycles have highlighted recurring challenges related to coordination, time management, and the handling of evidence, which the workshop seeks to address in a practical and operational manner.
Particular emphasis is placed on the role of magistrate observers, through a dedicated module aimed at clarifying their mandate and strengthening their capacity to conduct electoral observation in line with the applicable legal framework and expected standards. Organised in two sessions of two days each, the workshop brings together approximately 120 participants from judicial and electoral institutions. It aims to strengthen individual capacities, promote the harmonisation of practices, and contribute to a more transparent, inclusive, and credible electoral process in the Central African Republic.
