Production and distribution via satellite of eLearning modules on Effective Electoral Assistance and Electoral Administration

SatElections is a Pilot Project dedicated to the production and distribution via satellite of eLearning modules on Effective Electoral Assistance and Electoral Administration. In practical term, the broader module on Effective Electoral Assistance to be later adapted to a more specific eLearning Electoral Administration Module for the needs of the Independent Electoral Commission of the Democratic Republic of Congo (IEC-DRC). The proposed satcom based system represents the first step to validate the fulfilment of the operational communication needs required in the Congolese election process and to create an internal network for Electoral Management Bodies for the transmission of electoral data. The following objectives were pursued by the project: Production of the first ever eLearning Module on Effective Electoral Assistance This Module targeted the training of development partners and electoral management bodies in effective electoral assistance. The module is based on the content developed for the Training Session on Effective Electoral Assistance by United Nations Development Programme, European Commission and International IDEA. Such Module was then: Integrated within the SatElections Training Platform and delivered to remote terminals through the satellite communication system (Sat3Play technology and ASTRA2Connect) Adapted to be transmitted in the different platforms already available within the EC and UNDP. Creation of eLearning Modules on Electoral Administration needs for the IEC-DRC The eLearning Module on Effective Electoral Assistance was adapted for the IEC-DRC, distributed via satellite and utilised before the holding of the Congolese local elections in the end of 2008-first half 2009. Creation of an internal network for electoral data transmission needs The satcom solution provided by the project supported election data transmission for the Electoral Management Bodies in DRC. CHALLENGES Thanks to a cooperation among the Industrial Partners, the IEC as sponsoring partner and UNDP, EC, International IDEA, the project aims to: Produce the first ever eLearning modules on effective electoral assistance and electoral administration; Assess the feasibility of broadcasting the modules with appropriate, cost effective and sustainable satellite technology; Assess the feasibility of using the same satellite technology for creating internal network for Electoral Management Bodies and for their electoral data transmission. BENEFITS SatElections is to demonstrate that the system and associated services provide an effective, sustainable and scalable solution in support of African Electoral Cycles. The proposed satcom system is to be part of the activities of the EC-UNDP-IDEA led Global Training Platform on Effective Electoral Assistance and the adapted module for electoral administration will be tested in DRC to assess the applicability in other African electoral cycles.