The first 3 day EC-UNDP-IDEA Joint Thematic Workshop on The Use of Information and Communication Technologies in Electoral Processes took place in the European Commission Headquarters, Berlaymont Building, salle Walter Hallstein in Brussels from 30th November until 2nd December 2009.

Built on the content, structure and experiences of previous learning events, the EC-UNDP Joint Task Force and International IDEA, with the support of the International Organization of Migration (IOM), the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), the Organization of American States (OAS) and Government of Spain, delivered the workshop.

The workshop targeted staff members of appointed persons from the EC, UNDP, IDEA. CIDA, IOM, EU Member States, other donor agencies, regional/international organizations as well as members of election management bodies. Owing to the specific thematic area, the organizers targeted staff in countries that has worked with issues related to the introduction/use of ICTs in voter registration processes over the last five years in the context of UNDP managed projects with contributions from EC. Persons outside the targeted audience needed to be seconded through their respective organizations/institutions and/or EU Member States.

The 60 appointed participants was provided with:

• an overview of option and models available for introducing technology in an electoral process;
• a comparative review of ICTs use in Civil and Voter Registration, especially focusing on the sustainability and effective use of biometrics-recognition systems in the voter registration activities;
• analyze possible synergies between civil registration and voter registration, census and other statistical services;
• a Discussion of the main operational problems in the identification, formulation and implementing phases of EC-UNDP support to civil and voter registration.