Third General Meeting Association of Caribbean Electoral Organizations (ACEO) Kingston, Jamaica November 7 & 8, 2008

2 1. Founding of the ACEO Caribbean Election Network Conference -January 1997, Jamaica Caribbean Election Network Conference -January 1997, Jamaica   Birth of the ACEO First General Meeting -March 1998, Puerto Rico First General Meeting -March 1998, Puerto Rico  Charter signed by 22 countries & dependent territories  San Juan Declaration on the Political Rights for Persons with Disabilities 2 Executive Board Meetings 2 Executive Board Meetings  Work plan  Newsletter: The ACEO Report -January 2000 Second General Meeting -2001, Jamaica Second General Meeting -2001, Jamaica  Members pledged to pay dues

3 2. Purpose of the ACEO –Chapter I  “[…] to promote cooperation and mutual assistance among electoral organizations in the Caribbean in the pursuit of democracy by processes that ensure free, fair, and peaceful elections.” -Art. 1.1, ACEO Charter, 1998

4 3. Structure of the ACEO –Chapter II 3. Structure of the ACEO –Chapter II Three Organs -Article 2.1 Three Organs -Article 2.1  The General Assembly  The Executive Board  The Secretariat The General Assembly -Article 2.2 The General Assembly -Article 2.2 The Executive Board -Article 2.3 The Executive Board -Article 2.3  Five persons elected by the General Assembly  One of those five persons is elected Chairperson  Terms of three years

5 3. Structure of the ACEO –Chapter II The Secretariat –Article 2.4 The Secretariat –Article 2.4  IFES and the OAS initially served as interim Co-Secretariat of the Association The Executive Secretary -Article 2.5 The Executive Secretary -Article 2.5  Appointed by the Executive Board  Serves as the Secretary of the Board

6 4. ACEO Membership –Chapter III 4. ACEO Membership –Chapter III Three types of Members –Article 3.1 Three types of Members –Article 3.1  Full Members Electoral Organizations of the Caribbean Community Electoral Organizations of the Caribbean Community  Associate Members 1. Individuals who are current or former Election Officers or Commissioners of an organization qualified for full membership 1. Individuals who are current or former Election Officers or Commissioners of an organization qualified for full membership 2. Caribbean non-governmental and non-partisan organizations 2. Caribbean non-governmental and non-partisan organizations  Honorary Members

7 5. Primary Objectives of the Third Meeting To address substantive issues regarding elections in the Caribbean To address substantive issues regarding elections in the Caribbean  Political party and campaign financing  Technology  Stakeholders in electoral processes But more importantly But more importantly  To reinvigorate the ACEO as an important point of reference and tool for electoral authorities of the Caribbean

8 6. Questions & Expected Outcomes We kindly request your input and active participation to address the following considerations We kindly request your input and active participation to address the following considerations If so, what should be the short- and long-term priorities of the Association? If so, what should be the short- and long-term priorities of the Association? What types of activities should the ACEO engage in the future to meet those priorities? What types of activities should the ACEO engage in the future to meet those priorities? Is it worthwhile to have an ACEO? Is it worthwhile to have an ACEO?

9 7. If we decide to have an ACEO, we need to make the following decisions: Elect an Executive Board and Chairperson Elect an Executive Board and Chairperson Draft a work plan that meets agreed on priorities Draft a work plan that meets agreed on priorities Determine dues: do we pay dues and how do we use the money already collected? Determine dues: do we pay dues and how do we use the money already collected? Decide on where to have the Secretariat Decide on where to have the Secretariat

10 The OAS, IFES and the EOJ wish you a fruitful meeting!