Electoral processes and democratic consolidation in the countries of the southern Mediterranean

15-16 September 2014,  Ismaili Centre, Lisbon
 

The Lisbon Forum 2014, building on the conclusions of the previous editions, was devoted to 'Electoral processes and democratic consolidation in the countries of the Southern Mediterranean.' It offered to the participants an opportunity to exchange on the main issues related to the electoral process as well as on the importance of democratic awareness of all actors involved.

The integrity of the electoral process is one of the conditions for the ultimate expression of successful democratic consolidation, which lays the necessary foundations for good governance.

Since the uprisings in the countries on the southern shores of the Mediterranean in 2011, various elections have taken place in the region with varying degrees of success and consequences for the ensuing political balance.

It is therefore important and essential, when establishing democratic governance, to give particular attention to the entire electoral process. This entails examining electoral processes and ensuring that they eradicate any barriers to participation and promote the inclusion of all members of society in political affairs, particularly women, while also taking into account the characteristics of the region and of the country concerned.

Similarly, as witnessed at the 2013 Lisbon Forum, whose aim was to show that democratic ownership is as important for citizens as for those governing them, the aim of this year's Forum was to show that, in the case of elections, democratic awareness applies not only to the candidates and all the other key players in the electoral process but also to voters (associations, political parties, media, etc.).

At the 2014 Forum the goal was to draft recommendations directed to all the key players of governance after a series of debates, interventions and exchanges with the public, elected representatives and citizens on main issues, successful experiences in the south Mediterranean region or in other parts of the world.