Promoting Electoral Justice

The credibility of elections and democratic stability increasingly hinge on the effective resolution of legal disputes and violations throughout the electoral cycle. While there are multiple networks for election administrators to have peer-to-peer discussions on election management issues, most election arbiters and judges who deal with disputes and violations lack similar peer support. To address this gap, IFES, through its Regional Europe Office (REO), supported the establishment of the Europe and Eurasia Election Justice Network (EEJN), where election judges meet with election administration representatives.  

EEJN is a dynamic platform fostering collaboration among election management bodies (EMBs) and judiciary members across Europe and Eurasia. It provides a safe space for exchanging knowledge and best practices and sharing examples of how other countries manage electoral disputes and appeals. Since its inception in Vilnius in 2018, the EEJN has been a catalyst for meaningful dialogue. The network meets periodically, addressing the spectrum of crucial topics, including procedural challenges in election dispute resolution, evidentiary Issues in election cases, annulment of election results, vote buying, campaign finance violations, abuse of state resources, use of technology in election disputes, access to justice for women, and the impact of social media and disinformation in elections.  

As we navigate the complex electoral landscape, the EEJN remains committed to facilitating regular member exchanges, support for sub-regional working groups to examine legal issues specific to the content of the Western Balkans and Eastern Partnership countries, as well as conducting research on Electoral Dispute Resolution (EDR) processes and developing recommendations to address emerging challenges. Together, we continue to shape the electoral landscape and promote best practices in electoral administration and dispute resolution.