Third General Meeting

Association of Caribbean Electoral Organizations (ACEO)

Kingston, JamaicaNovember 7 & 8, 2008

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1. Founding of the ACEO1. Founding of the ACEO

Caribbean Election Network ConferenceCaribbean Election Network Conference -January -January 1997, Jamaica1997, Jamaica Birth of the ACEO

First General MeetingFirst General Meeting -March 1998, Puerto Rico-March 1998, Puerto Rico

Charter signed by 22 countries & dependent territoriesCharter signed by 22 countries & dependent territories San Juan Declaration on the Political Rights for Persons with San Juan Declaration on the Political Rights for Persons with

DisabilitiesDisabilities

2 Executive Board Meetings2 Executive Board Meetings Work planWork plan Newsletter: Newsletter: The ACEO ReportThe ACEO Report -January 2000-January 2000

Second General MeetingSecond General Meeting -2001, -2001, JamaicaJamaica Members pledged to pay duesMembers pledged to pay dues

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2. Purpose of the ACEO 2. Purpose of the ACEO –Chapter –Chapter II

““[…] to promote cooperation and mutual […] to promote cooperation and mutual assistance among electoral organizations in the assistance among electoral organizations in the Caribbean in the pursuit of democracy by Caribbean in the pursuit of democracy by processes that ensure free, fair, and peaceful processes that ensure free, fair, and peaceful elections.”elections.”

-Art. 1.1, ACEO Charter, 1998-Art. 1.1, ACEO Charter, 1998

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3. Structure of the ACEO 3. Structure of the ACEO –Chapter –Chapter IIII

Three OrgansThree Organs -Article 2.1-Article 2.1 The General AssemblyThe General Assembly The Executive BoardThe Executive Board The SecretariatThe Secretariat

The General AssemblyThe General Assembly -Article 2.2-Article 2.2

The Executive BoardThe Executive Board -Article 2.3-Article 2.3

Five persons elected by the General AssemblyFive persons elected by the General Assembly One of those five persons is elected ChairpersonOne of those five persons is elected Chairperson Terms of three yearsTerms of three years

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3. Structure of the ACEO 3. Structure of the ACEO –Chapter –Chapter IIII

The SecretariatThe Secretariat –Article 2.4–Article 2.4 IFES and the OAS initially served as interim Co-IFES and the OAS initially served as interim Co-

Secretariat of the AssociationSecretariat of the Association

The Executive SecretaryThe Executive Secretary -Article 2.5-Article 2.5

Appointed by the Executive BoardAppointed by the Executive Board Serves as the Secretary of the BoardServes as the Secretary of the Board

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4. ACEO Membership 4. ACEO Membership –Chapter III–Chapter III

Three types of MembersThree types of Members –Article 3.1–Article 3.1

Full MembersFull Members

Electoral Organizations of the Caribbean CommunityElectoral Organizations of the Caribbean Community

Associate MembersAssociate Members

1.1. Individuals who are current or former Election Individuals who are current or former Election Officers or Officers or Commissioners of an Commissioners of an organization qualified for full membershiporganization qualified for full membership

2. Caribbean non-governmental and non-partisan 2. Caribbean non-governmental and non-partisan organizationsorganizations

Honorary MembersHonorary Members

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5. Primary Objectives of the Third 5. Primary Objectives of the Third Meeting Meeting

To address substantive issues regarding elections in To address substantive issues regarding elections in the Caribbeanthe Caribbean Political party and campaign financingPolitical party and campaign financing TechnologyTechnology Stakeholders in electoral processesStakeholders in electoral processes

ButBut more importantly more importantly To reinvigorate the ACEO as an important point To reinvigorate the ACEO as an important point

of reference of reference and tool for electoral authorities of the and tool for electoral authorities of the CaribbeanCaribbean

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6. Questions & Expected 6. Questions & Expected OutcomesOutcomes

We kindly request your input and active participation to We kindly request your input and active participation to address the following considerationsaddress the following considerations

If so, If so, what should be the short- and long-term priorities of what should be the short- and long-term priorities of the Association?the Association?

What types of activities should the ACEO engage in the future to meet What types of activities should the ACEO engage in the future to meet those priorities?those priorities?

Is it worthwhile to have an ACEO?Is it worthwhile to have an ACEO?

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7. If we decide to have an ACEO, 7. If we decide to have an ACEO, we need to make the following we need to make the following decisions:decisions:

Elect an Executive Board and ChairpersonElect an Executive Board and Chairperson

Draft a work plan that meets agreed on prioritiesDraft a work plan that meets agreed on priorities

Determine dues: do we pay dues and how do we use the money already Determine dues: do we pay dues and how do we use the money already collected?collected?

Decide on where to have the SecretariatDecide on where to have the Secretariat

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The OAS, IFES and the EOJThe OAS, IFES and the EOJ

wish you a fruitful meeting!wish you a fruitful meeting!