Electoral cycle support in Mali Electoral cycle support in Mali - Electoral process support in Mali För att stödja anordnandet av president- och parlamentval i Mali 2018 har UNDP ansökt hos Sida om ett finansiellt stöd  för att genomföra det så kallade projektet "Stöd till valsprocessen i Mali under perioden 2018-2019". Den totala budgeten för programmet är beräknad till 4 941 000 USD (41 809 100 SEK).

Insatsen syftar till att främja demokratisk styrning och möjliggöra konsolidering av fredsprocessen genom att hålla trovärdiga, transparenta, fredliga, inkluderande val med brett deltagande i enlighet med internationella standarder. UNDP kommer att genomföra insatsen på uppdrag av Malis regering och givarna som bidrar till finansieringen i nära samarbete med FN: s fredsbevarande styrka i Mali (MINUSMA) och andra FN-organisationer och organ som stöder valprocessen. Genom insatsen kommer kapaciteten hos de enheter som utgör det nationella valförvaltningsorganet  EMB att stärkas i rollen att utföra sina uppdrag. För en mer inkluderande valprocess kommer insatsen också omfatta stöd till det civila samhället för undervisningsinsatser beträffande om val och medborgerliga rättigheter. In order to support the organization of the 2018 elections (Presidential and legislative) in Mali, UNDP has proposed to the International Community for funding a proposal of 4 941 000 USD (41 809 100 SEK) to carry out the project "Support to the Electoral Cycle in Mali during the period 2018-2019". 

The intervention aims at promoting democratic governance and enabling the consolidation of the peace process through the holding of credible, transparent, peaceful, inclusive and participatory elections in accordance with international standards. UNDP will implement the intervention on behalf of the Government of Mali and the donors contributing to the funding in close collaboration with the UN peacekeeping mission in Mali (MINUSMA) and other UN system agencies providing support to the electoral process. Through the intervention, the capacity of the entities constituting the EMB will be strengthened in order to carry out their mission. In addition, support will be provided to CSOs for civic, voter education activities for a more inclusive electoral process. 

The financial contribution of Sweden is estimated to 15 MSEK (1 785 880 USD) corresponding to 33% of the total budget. In addition to the Swedish financing, other donors committed to make a financial contribution include Norway with 1 000 000 USD and UNDP with 500 000 SEK. At the moment a financial gap of around 40% remains. By the end of the intervention, it is expected to ensure national ownership in terms of organization and the management of the electoral process.
This will be done through a strong coordination of support to the electoral cycle from partners for 1) The organization of free, inclusive, transparent and peaceful elections in line with international standards and regional instruments governing electoral processes and integrating gender equity and respect for human rights and 2) Institutional capacity building for the management of the electoral cycle in the light of strengthening democratic governance.
The achievement of the two dimensions mentioned above is a long-term process because the conduct of an election involves a sequence of events and the engagement of several actors. The entities of the EMB are the main beneficiaries of the support. They will receive specific trainings to improve the election result management system including the process of counting, tabulating, aggregating and announcing the results of the election.
In addition to the EMB, direct beneficiaries will include civil society organizations, political parties and the media. Adequately-funded civil society and media organizations will play a wider role in the area of civic and voter education. Youth, women, refugees and internally displaced people also stand to benefit, and support to a more inclusive process is intended bring them into the electoral process. Finally, support to conflict management and dispute resolution aims to reduce election-related violence which often affects some of the poorest and most marginalized groups.
The Embassy assesses that the project is supposed to promote social equality, political inclusion and minimize electoral conflicts and build trust among the various actors targeted. In addition, the project will contribute to the stabilization and the consolidation of the peace process as elections are an important part of it. Holding the presidential polls on time is vital to avoid a political crisis with unforeseeable consequences in Mali.