The head of the ONPE, Mariano Cucho Espinoza, said that the Inter-American Meeting of Electoral Authorities held in Lima is a valuable opportunity for the region to improve electoral processes by sharing experiences, and thus strengthen democracy.
"The elections in our countries concern the entire region. Each of them with its peculiarities, its complexities, problems and innovations, is a learning opportunity for other countries,” he stated.
In addition, he concluded elections serve not only as an affirmation of democracy, but also as a valuable reference point on how the electoral rules and institutions work in the region.
Statements were made during the ninth edition of the aforementioned event held by the Organization of American States (OAS), the Peruvian National Elections Board (JNE) and the Peruvian National Office of Electoral Processes (ONPE).
Ambassador De Zela, in turn, said the discussions that will be generated will benefit from the wealth of diversity of political and electoral, presidential and parliamentary systems, and strengthen the interactions between member nations.
He also noted the nearly four decades of electoral observation missions carried out by the institution and described how they have evolved in their form and its mission, adjusting to the political and social changes experienced by the Hemisphere over this period.
On the other hand, the Permanent Representative of Peru to the OAS, Ambassador Juan Jiménez Mayor, highlighted that "the electoral authorities of the Americas have a key ally in the Organization of American States."
He noted in particular the work of the Department for Electoral Cooperation and Observation as example of the added value offered by the OAS in promoting and strengthening democracy in the hemisphere.
The high level meeting was inaugurated on November 24 and sees the participation of 23 countries of the Hemisphere due to meet until today, November 25 to discuss the organization of elections and exchange good practices on the issue.
(END) NDP/RMB
Published: 11/25/2014