ECI

FEMBoSA Work Plan: 2015 - 2016  
No
Programme of Work
Assigned Member State
1.
Study on the current status of Campaign Finance;
Organize Regional Seminar;  Establish a Regional Research Network on Campaign Finance;  Prepare the minimum requirements in the Member States
Bangladesh
Bhutan
India
2.
Study on the use of technology to conduct free and fair elections of EMBs; 
Prepare a Road Map on the way forward
Bhutan
The Maldives
Nepal 
3.
Study on the autonomy and independence of the Member EMBs for strengthening democracy;
Prepare common Minimum Requirements for the Region
Nepal
4.
Conduct a study on Media involvement, Media monitoring (including Social Media); Develop regulations in the Member States
Nepal
5.
Introduce Voter Education curriculum in schools; 
Expand inclusive electoral literacy
Sri Lanka
6.
Include gender equality in overall electoral processes in the Member States
Bangladesh
Bhutan
India
7.
Introduce measures to address Voter Registration among all sections of the society
India
Sri Lanka 
8.
Introduce systems to promote Voting Rights for citizens living out of the country
India
9.
Conduct capacity building programmes for officials in the Electoral Administration
India
10.
Introduce means of promoting Voter Education among females
Bangladesh
Nepal
The Maldives 
11.
Publish the Sixth Meeting Report of FEMBoSA 
Sri Lanka
12.
Publish Research Papers prepared by the Member States, Academics and Professionals
Sri Lanka
13.
Conduct the 7th meeting in 2016 on the theme: Technology for Credible Elections
 The Maldives 
14.
A comparative study on the Organizational Structures/Strategic Management Plan and functioning of the Election Commissions in the Member States
Afghanistan
The Maldives
 
15.
Setting up of a mechanism of Members consisting of nominees of the respective EMBs; Civil Society and relevant political parties for resolving of disputes among stakeholders (i.e; Clearing House for dispute resolution)
Sri Lanka

The seventh meeting of Forum of Election Management Bodies of South Asia (FEMBoSA) was held from 02-04 August 2016 at Bandos Island Resort, Maldives. Member countries of the forum; Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka participated in the meeting. As decided on the previous FEMBoSA meeting, the theme for this year’s forum was “Technology for Credible Elections”.

The 6th meeting of the Forum of Election Management Bodies of South Asia (FEMBOSA) was held in Colombo, Sri Lanka on 1st and 2nd of October 2015, attended by eight Electoral Management Bodies (EMBs) of South Asia on the theme: "Autonomy and Independence of EMBs":
Recalling the objectives as envisaged in the Forum Charter and Thimphu Resolution of 2013 and Nepal Resolution of 2014 respectively;
Reaffirming our commitment to ensure free and fair elections, promoting participatory and inclusive democracies;
Accepting the inclusion and participation of eligible electors as the cornerstone of free and fair elections;
Believing in the importance of Participation of Women for free and fair Elections;
Recognizing the importance of autonomous and independent Election Management Bodies (EMBs) for strengthening democracy;
Appreciating the efforts made in overcoming the challenges faced in conducting Free and Fair Elections in conflict scenarios;
Acknowledging that constructive and pro-active media engagement is essential for credible elections;
Realizing the necessity of considering the suggestions presented to FEMBoSA with regard to Disability Inclusive Elections in South Asia to the degree of EMBs capacity;
Reiterating and noting the importance of engagement of young Voters in Democracy and the Impact of Social Media;
 
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The seventh meeting of Forum of Election Management Bodies of South Asia (FEMBoSA) was held from 02-04 August 2016 at Bandos Island Resort, Maldives. Member countries of the forum; Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka participated in the meeting. As decided on the previous FEMBoSA meeting, the theme for this year’s forum was “Technology for Credible Elections”.

The 9th Meeting of Forum of Election Management Bodies of South Asia (FEMBoSA) was held in Dhaka, Bangladesh on 5-6 September 2018. The Heads of Electoral Management Bodies, Delegates, Representatives of 8 FEMBOSA countries attended the meeting.
The main theme of the 911 meeting of FEMBOSA is "Transparency in Electoral Process & Engaging Electoral Stakeholders."
Download File to view Dhaka Resolution

Proposed Themes: 9th Meeting of Forum of Election Management Bodies of South Asia

 

FEMBoSA Work Plan 2018-2019: 9th Meeting of Forum of Election Management Bodies of South Asia

Agenda of 9th Meeting of Forum of Election Management Bodies of South Asia
 

Resolution
FEMBoSA Resolution was unanimously adopted on 25th September 2017 during the concluding Session of the eighth FEMBoSA meeting held in the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.
FEMBoSA members at their 8th meeting held in Kabul:
Reiterating commitment to facilitating and conducting free and fair elections to strengthen democracy and accepting inclusiveness and participatory elections including women and engagement of young voters. Appreciating the efforts made in overcoming the challenges in elections, acknowledging the constructive and proactive media engagement and importance of strategic planning for EMBs. Reiterating the importance of autonomous and independent EMBs and strengthening democracy. Acknowledging the need for equal access of the voters including persons need special assistance for increasing public participation in elections. Accepting that the public awareness has a crucial role in conducting credible and acceptable elections. Knowing and targeting of specific voters’ groups and providing broad and comprehensive public awareness tools, for obtaining the confidence of the voters. Accepting challenges to women’s participation in the South Asia region, and that their participation guarantees the credibility and inclusiveness of the elections. Acknowledging the use of technology for various electoral processes ensuring the transparency and trust building. Accepting that simple procedures on making objections and complaints on the electoral process could facilitate better handling of the disputes in line with laws and regulations. Accepting the impartiality and professionalism of member countries’ EMBs on handling the electoral dispute resolution, ensuring the confidence and trust of the people on the election and EMBs. Resolved to: 
Implement the Work Plan as approved by the member EMBs in the Eighth Meeting of FEMBoSA. Conduct feasibility study for the establishment secretariat of FEMBoSA Cooperate in capacity building of the member countries. Host election visitor programs in their countries as feasible. Provide technical assistance as requested and as feasible. Share mechanisms on Election Dispute Resolution (EDR) among the member EMBs. Actively share knowledge in ICT tools and modules being used by the member EMBs and to develop standards for sustainable use of ICT in elections. Cooperate in developing evidence-based strategies for EMBs. Share the information among the EMBs through the www.fembosa.af web portal. Design and implement regional research projects. Place on record our gratitude to Dr.Nasim Zaidi of the CEC of India and Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad CEC of Bangladesh for their yeoman services in nurturing FEMBoSA. Download file to view more

Since the creation of FEMBo, annual meetings were held in Pakistan (2011), in India (2012), in Bhutan (2013), Nepal (2014) Sri Lanka (2015). And the last meeting held in Maldives (2016) in This meeting, it was decided to hold the eighth annual Meeting of FEMBoSA  in Afghanistan. The agenda of the annual meetings are aimed to hold Discussions on important current topics relevant to Election management and electoral process, giving special attention to the region and decisions being taken on the Incoming chairperson of FEMBoSA  and the hosting country of the next meeting. 
8th annual meeting of FEMBoSA will be hosted by Independent election commission of Afghanistan in Kabul from 24 to 26th September 2017 on the themes: 
- Election and Dispute Resolutions; and 
- No Voter to be Left Behind 
 
 
 
 

FEMBoSA Stewardship Report 2018-19 by ECB

Agenda of the 10th FEMBoSA meeting 
(Friday, 24 January 2020)
[Venue: Kamal Mahal Hall, ITC Maurya Hotel, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi] 
09.30-09.55
Registration of Participants
 09.55-10.00
All Participants and Guests to be seated
 10.00 – 10.05
Welcome by Mr. Umesh Sinha, Secretary General, ECI 
 10.05 – 10.15
 Address by Mr. K. M. Nurul Huda, Hon’ble Chief Election Commissioner of Bangladesh  (Current Chair of FEMBoSA)  
and
Handing over of  the Chair from EC of Bangladesh to EC of India 
10.15 -10.18
Release of ‘Voice International’ Magazine – Jan 2020 issue
 10.18 – 10.20
 Adoption of the Meeting Agenda
 10.20 – 10.30
Address by Mr. Sunil Arora, Hon’ble CEC of India
( Incoming Chair of FEMBoSA)
 
FEMBoSA General Session  :  Chair – Hon’ble CEC of India
10.30 -11.20
(i)  FEMBoSA Stewardship Report  by EC of  Bangladesh 
(ii)  Next Steps for FEMBoSA :
Discussion on :
Draft Work Plan 2020 New Delhi Resolution Theme for the next FEMBoSA Meeting  11.20-1130
Closing of FEMBoSA meeting & Group Photo   
11.30 – 11.50
Signing of MoU with Afghanistan &  Tunisia
11.50 – 12.20
Tea/Coffee/Refreshments

New Delhi Resolution
The 10th meeting of FEMBoSA was organized by the Election Commission of India on 24 January 2020 in New Delhi. The meeting was attended by the Chairwomen/Chairmans/Chief Election Commissioners, Election Commissioners and other dignitaries from seven member Election Management Bodies (EMBs) of FEMBoSA.

FEMBoSA 7th Meeting Resolution