[{"bbox": [97, 153, 1136, 233], "category": "Text", "text": "At the sub-regional level, in 2023 Guinea-Bissau is serving as Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government. The country has used its historically low profile in the international arena to act as mediator in regional conflicts and to raise the country's international profile."}, {"bbox": [97, 244, 1136, 298], "category": "Text", "text": "Given Guinea-Bissau's history, supporting the democratic governance, notably on electoral cycles, is particularly relevant to contribute to the country's stabilisation."}, {"bbox": [85, 325, 342, 356], "category": "Section-header", "text": "## 2.2 Problem Analysis"}, {"bbox": [97, 372, 334, 399], "category": "Section-header", "text": "**Short problem analysis:**"}, {"bbox": [97, 399, 1136, 744], "category": "Text", "text": "As highlighted in the report of the UN Electoral Needs Assessment Mission (NAM), which visited the country in June-July 2022, recent political struggles are linked to key events in the country after the disputed outcome of the 2019 presidential run-off election, including differences between the executive and legislative branches of the Government over the constitutional review process and immunity for members of the Parliament. The NAM also drew attention to broader issues that are essential to ensuring inclusive and credible elections, such as freedom of expression and freedom of peaceful assembly and association. Nevertheless, although most stakeholders lack confidence in state institutions, all political actors met by NAM reiterated their intention to participate in the upcoming elections and hoped that they would be transparent and inclusive. Political participation of women, notably their right to access and compete on an equal footing for leadership and decision-making roles, remains a challenge: despite a National Policy for Gender Equality and Equity (PNIEG) of 2012 and the Parity Law of 2018, which establishes 36% quota in women's representation in parliament, women are underrepresented in decision-making spheres, with less than 14% in the now dissolved National Assembly, only 3 ministers over 23 in the Government and 28% female judges Judiciary."}, {"bbox": [97, 755, 1136, 862], "category": "Text", "text": "The reports offered by the EU electoral missions (EU EOM 2014 and EEM 2019) are offering a comprehensive analysis, shared with the government of Guinea Bissau, of challenges in electoral processes, ranging from equal access to public information, inconsistencies between the Constitution and the Electoral Law, transparency of the results management process, voter education, to women representation in the political field."}, {"bbox": [97, 873, 1136, 1007], "category": "Text", "text": "As regards the electoral bodies, despite some progress, CNE and GTAPE actual capacity in organising themselves is limited, given shortfalls in human resource capacities, notably on information technology, at operational, administrative and financial level. Electoral related logistic and procurement capacities, especially in a short timeframe are particularly challenging. The communication of these electoral bodies with the population was also weak in the previous electoral cycles and needs to be improved."}, {"bbox": [97, 1018, 1136, 1206], "category": "Text", "text": "The risk of increased ethnic and religious tensions as a result of the election campaign persists and should be mitigated, also considering the existence of misinformation and disinformation campaigns. Civic and rights education – including for women, especially in rural areas, elder and new young voters, people living with disability – should be specifically developed, as institutions that are democratic and representative of all groups in society are key to achieve peace and national prosperity. In particular, the adoption of a gender and youth perspective in election bodies decision-making can contribute to improve women and youth participation in electoral processes, which means increased opportunities for political socialisation and influence."}, {"bbox": [97, 1217, 1136, 1297], "category": "Text", "text": "Despite Government's efforts to increase, compared to the previous electoral cycles, national resources to support the elections, financial and technical support – including through technical assistance and the deployment of election observation missions – continue to be necessary to consolidate a democratic culture in the country."}, {"bbox": [97, 1308, 1136, 1468], "category": "Text", "text": "Challenging logistics linked to the rainy season and the short time available for organisation, considering that the process of voters registry updating started early 2023, may be decisive in maintaining the date of 4 June 2023 for the legislative elections. A shift in the election calendar cannot therefore be excluded. A medium and long term approach is highly relevant, including the legislative elections and paving the way for credible and transparent presidential election in 2025, based on capacity building and awareness raising of the various stakeholders involved in electoral cycles."}, {"bbox": [97, 1483, 1136, 1536], "category": "Section-header", "text": "**Identification of main stakeholders and corresponding institutional and/or organisational issues (mandates, potential roles, and capacities) to be covered by the action:**"}, {"bbox": [97, 1547, 1136, 1627], "category": "Text", "text": "The management of elections in Guinea-Bissau is under the responsibility of two main bodies: the National Elections Commission (CNE), oversight by the Parliament, and the Technical Office to Support Electoral Processes (GTAPE), under tutelage of the Ministry of Territorial Administration. The CNE is the principal"}, {"bbox": [1038, 1681, 1144, 1705], "category": "Page-footer", "text": "Page 5 of 19"}]