Stronger election institutions build stronger democracies. Election Capacity Development is the practical, long-term investment that helps Election Management Bodies (EMBs) deliver elections that are credible, transparent, inclusive, and resilient, especially in an era defined by rapid technological change, rising disinformation, and growing cyber threats.

Elections are not one-day events. They are complex public operations that require legal clarity, operational precision, data-driven decision-making, secure technology, and public trust. When EMBs have the right skills, systems, and partnerships, they can:

• Protect electoral integrity by strengthening procedures, accountability, and professional standards.
• Improve operational efficiency through smarter planning, logistics, training, and resource management.
• Build public confidence with clear communication, transparency, and consistent service delivery.
• Reduce risk by improving cyber readiness, crisis response, and safeguards against interference.
• Expand inclusion by designing processes that better serve women, youth, persons with disabilities, and marginalized communities.

Capacity development turns lessons learned into institutional progress, ensuring that improvements are sustainable, not temporary.

Through these exchange and cooperation programs, Cameroon, Nigeria, and Liberia have directly benefited from targeted capacity development that strengthens institutional performance and prepares election institutions to manage both routine electoral operations and emerging threats.

U.S. election institutions, at both the federal and state levels, hold globally recognized expertise in administering elections within a highly decentralized environment, managing security risks, and improving voter services through innovation and oversight. Their participation in USICES-facilitated cooperation brings distinct value to partner EMBs:

• Practical operational experience from institutions that administer elections at scale
• Peer-based credibility rooted in professional exchange rather than one-way instruction
• Actionable approaches to election security, technology governance, and risk management
• Direct institutional support that strengthens partnerships and accelerates capacity transfer

By connecting partner EMBs with U.S. election institutions, USICES helps ensure that capacity development is grounded in tested solutions, professional standards, and sustained relationships, supporting EMBs not only to deliver successful elections today, but to continually improve for the elections ahead.