Electoral Education at Grassroots and District Level for Democratic Governance (EEDG) Project

(DCI-NSAPVD/2021/271844)

Report of Capacity Building Training 21-25

th January 2013

Prepared By:- Jagaran Nepal Saras Marg, House No.137, Anamnagar, Kathmandu Phone:- 977-1-4219439, E-mail:i n f o @ j a g a r a n n e p a l . o r g W e b s i t e : w w w . j a g a r a n n e p a l . o r g . n p

Abbreviations ECN Election Commission of Nepal EEDG Electoral Education at Grassroots and District Level for Democratic

Governance HCDA Himalaya Conservation and Development Association NEOC Nepal Election Observation Committee NFN NGO Federation of Nepal PAU Project Advisory Unit PMC Project Management Committee

Contents A. Title of the Event

B. Objectives of the Meeting

C. Date and Time Duration of Program

D. Venue

E. Participation: F. Proceedings:

1. Pre-Training activities

2. During Training

3. Post Training Activities

4. Methods used in the Training :-

5. Training Materials provided to Participants

6. Contents of the Capacity Building Training

G. Achievements of the Training

H. Visibility and Communication

I. Resource

J. Evaluation of Training

K. Problem Faced

L. Lessons Learnt:

M. Conclusion

N. Annexes

1. Participants Structure

2. Photo

A. Title of the Event: Capacity Building Training B. Objectives of the Meeting: Following were objectives of the Capacity Building Training.

To build the capacity of the project staffs on Electoral Education;

To provide knowledge on iterlinkages between election and democratic governance.

C. Date and Time Duration of The Training: 21th January to 25th January 2013

D. Venue: Chetana Kendra Hall, Budol- Kavre

E. Participation: Total 20(Male – 16, Female- 4) participants were present in the training. F. Proceedings:

1. Pre-training Activities

Communication & Coordination with Election Commission of Nepal, ESP, IFES and district

partners.

Invited staff members by phone, mail & invitation letter.

Conformed invitation by telephone.

Prepared logistic arrangement for training.

Booked time to visit Electoral Education and Information Centre of Election Commission of

Nepal.

Selected trainer and co-trainer to conduct sessions.

Contacted and coordinated resource persons to block their time.

Logistic arrangements of the training(Booking of hotel, hall, transportation, EEIC, banner,

stationary, training materials etc)

2. During Training:-

Five days Capacity Building training on 'Electoral Education' organized by Jagaran Nepal and

Himalaya Conservation and Development Association(HCDA) with assistance of European

Union(EU) at Budol, Kavre. This training was divided into five days and 15 sessions and one

day exposure including opening and closing session. The training was facilitated by subject

experts. Following was the detail of five days training.

A. First Day(21st January 2013)

In the first day of the training i.e. 21st January 2013, all the training participants got together at

Jagaran Nepal hall. First of all they introduced each other. The sharing of the five days schedule

was done. They were requested to visit the Electoral Education and Information Centre (EEIC)

of Election Commission of Nepal as an exposure.

In this regard, Jagaran Nepal's Communication and Documentation Officer with twenty member

team comprising visited Electoral Education and Information Centre (EEIC) of the ECN. The

main objective of the visit was to observe EEIC which has been recently established by ECN; to

get the knowledge on electoral education and to determine the possible room for coordination &

cooperation with election commission.

The team visited key components of the EEIC. They had participated in documentary show in

theater, got opportunities to take part in mock election and observed an electoral museum. The

observation visit was very interesting and meaningful for developing understanding of staffs

involved in the project for betterment of project. The team got an opportunity to have sharing on

status of voter registration, election system, better informed on past elections and new

technologies introduced by of election commission of Nepal. The centre is found well equipped

and visit was very successful.

In the second half of the first day participants travelled to Bodol, Kavre for night stay.

B. Second Day (22nd

January 2013)

The Second day of the training was observed formally at Chetana Kendra of Budol Kavre

district. There were four sessions in a second day of the training. First session was an opening of

the training that started formally.

The training was inaugurated jointly by representatives of five program district, Jagaran Nepal,

HCDA and ECN, lighting candle that was symbol of joint effort. Mr. Dal Rawal- Director of the

HCDA welcomed all resource persons and participants and put his few words. The training was

started playing National Anthem.

A short introduction was carried out with game. Each participant requested to find their couple

and gave their friend's introduction citing name, address, experiences in social sector and

organization they involved. After that the course introduction or the objectives of the training

was highlighted by Meena Bista, Program Coordinator of Jagaran Nepal. In the end of first

session Mr. Shanti Ram Bimali and Ms. Radhika Regmi, Birdge Training Coordinator had

collected the expectations from participants, formulated training code of conduct and conducted

a pre-test.

In the second session, Mr. Anil Kumar Thakur, Joint Secretary of Election Commission of Nepal

and Bridge training resource person Radhika Regmi facilitated on the topics 'Why have

elections? And Criteria of Free and fair elections. In this session participants got clear knowledge

about the importance of election and role of election in democratic process. The participants

were made cleared on factors that contribute for Free, Fearless and Fair elections.

The third session was facilitated by BRIDGE training Coordinator Mr. Shanti Ram Bimali and

Mr. Komal Prasad Dhamala Executive Director of the Electoral Education and Information

Centre of Election Commission of Nepal. Participants were educated on election tree and guiding

principles of election management.

The fourth session of second day was facilitated by Mr. Shanti Ram Bimali, Bridge Training

Coordinator on the topic ' The Biggest Logistical Event of an Election'. Participants enriched

their knowledge on logistical arrangements needed in the election.

C. Third Day (23rd

January 2013)

Third day of the training initiated with review of 2nd

day. Participants shared their best learning

of second day. Resource person Mr. Surya Prasad Aryal conducted an ice-breaker game to warm

up the participants before starting topics.

Ms. Radhika Regmi facilitated the session on the topic 'Types of Election Management Bodies'.

In this session, participants were conceptually cleared about the three bodies of Election

Management i.e. Free, Mixed and Government Election Management Bodies.

After lunch Mr. Surya Prasad Aryal, Section Officer of ECN facilitated session on 'electoral

systems: proportional representatives and first past the post. He explained the different electoral

system experienced in Nepal and other neighboring countries.

Next Session was on 'potential gender issues in election'. The facilitator of the training made it

more clear asking some questions. The participants were divided in groups and asked to

participate in group work. Short presentation of the outcomes of the group works was conducted

and Facilitator made added few points to make clear.

Finally, Mr. Shanti Ram Bimali facilitated on the topic 'working with Stakeholders: Stakeholder

Scenario'. Participants got clear idea about the stakeholder of election. They were request to list

out the stakeholders of the election. Election Management Bodies like Election Commission of

Nepal, Voters, Political Parties and Candidates, Executive Branch of Government, Electoral

Dispute Resolution Bodies, Judiciary, Media, Election Observers and Researchers, Civil Society

and Donors are identified as the major stakeholders of the election at the end of the session.

D. Fourth Day(24th

January 2013)

The fourth day of the training started with review and overview of third day. Participants shared

their best learning of third day. Voter Registration: Guiding Principles and types, VR in Nepal:

CVR, Corrections, Claim and Objections (process, status, issues and challenges), Voter

education: What? Why? How? Developing voters' education strategy and medium of voter

education messages were the contents of the fourth day. Mr. Gopal Prasad Aryal, Under

Secretary of Election Commission of Nepal, Komal Prasad Dhamala, Under Secretary of

Election Commission of Nepal, Radhika Regmi, Meena Bista and Nikila Shrestha, UNDP

representative had facilitated the sessions. Different games and snow ball methods were used to

facilitate the sessions.

E. Fifth Day(25th

January 2013)

First session of the fifth day, was begin with short review and overview of the fourth day. Citizen

Rights and Responsibilities in Elections, Role of CSOs in Electoral Processes and Contribution

of Election Education for Strengthening Democracy and Governance were subject matters of last

day which were facilitated by Joint Secretary Anil Kumar Thakur, Training Coordinator Shanti

Ram Bimali and Under Secretary Komal Prasad Dhamala.

Participants were conceptually cleared about the voters' rights and responsibility, right to

participate in election, responsibility of voters, universal values and system of voters' rights,

pillars of good governance in the end of the session.

Post test of the participants was carried out by Raju Sapkota to evaluate five days training.

The closing of the training was organized formally in amid of the participation of Local

Development Officer of Kavre District, District Election Officer of Kavre, Sharmila Karki,

Chairperson of Jagaran Nepal and Chairperson of NGO federation of Kavre district and training

resource persons and participants.

Speaking in the closing session of the training, Komal Prasad Dhamala Under Secretary of

Election Commission of Nepal highlighted that this is the first initiation of coordination with

civil society organization. "We have taken Jagaran Nepal as a possible partner to work in

electoral education. Election Commission is committed to help Jagaran for the betterment of the

project" he added.

Ms. Sharmila Karki, Chairperson of Jagaran Nepal mentioned that electoral education related

initiation ultimately supports to the objectives of the Election Commission of Nepal. "We are

implementing the project in remote part of Nepal i.e. Karnali and is very challenging as well as

tough. So we humbly request ECN to provide valuable feedbacks and suggestions to achieve

significant goal" she requested. Speaking on behalf of training participants, Mr. Narendra

Bahadur Shahi and Ms. Kabita Budha agreed to the training was very fruitful and relevant. "We

will implement the gained skills and knowledge in real ground", they committed.

The Local Development Officer of Kavre, Officer of DEO, and Chairperson of the NGO

Federation of Kavre also addressed the closing session of the training. The closing ceremony was

facilitated by Meena Bista- Program Coordinator of the Jagaran Nepal. Mr. Rajkumar Sapkota

was present in the five days training for coordinating and supporting.

3. Post Training Activities:-

Provide necessary documents of the training to the participants.

Financial settlement.

Documentation of the training.

Prepared report of the Training.

4. Methods used in the Training :-

The training was conducted in participatory method. Different training tools were applied to

make the training interesting and ensure the maximum participation. Some training methods

used in the training were as following.

Lectures and power point presentations

Group work.

Question/Answer

Sharing of Experiences

Games

Role play

Snow ball

Sharing of story

Case study

5. Training Materials provided to Participants:

To make the training more interesting, understandable and provide logistic support following

materials were provided to participants.

Power point presentation

Copy and pen.

Training schedule.

Training bag.

Other reference materials related to subject matter.

6. Contents of the Capacity Building Training:

The following were the major contents of the five days training. Participants were also discussed

on the other agendas related to topic during the training period.

Why have Elections?

Criteria of Free and Fair Elections

Election Tree

Guiding Principles of Election Management

The Biggest Logistical Event

Types of EMBs

The Electoral Cycle

Issues identification in Electoral Cycle

Electoral Systems: PR/FPTP

Potential Gender Issues in Elections

Working with Stakeholders: stakeholder Scenario

Voter Registration: Guiding Principles & Types

VR in Nepal: CVR, Corrections, Claim and Objections (Process, Status, Issues and

Challenges)

Types of Public Outreach

Voter Education: What? Why? How?

Developing Voters Education Strategy

Developing Voters Education Strategy (Continued): Factors to Consider:

1. Target 3. Marginalized 5. Inclusion

2. Disabilities 4. Aged and Ethnicity 6. Gender Issue

Medium of VE Messages

Citizen Rights and Responsibilities in Elections

Role of CSOs in Electoral Processes

Contribution of Electoral Education for Strengthening Democracy and Governance

G. Achievements of the Training :

20 participants were capacitated on electoral education.

Participants got an opportunity to update themselves on linkages between election and

democratic governance.

They got training in BRIDGE module.

Coordination and cooperation among ECN, IFES, ESP, Local Partner and Jagaran

Nepal has enhanced.

H. Visibility and Communication:

A request letter was dispatched to all participants was signed by Chairperson of Jagaran Nepal.

They were also requested by mail and phone to join the training. The text message about

financial support of European Union was clearly written in invitation letter. In the opening and

closing sessions of the training verbal communication about financial support of European

Union was clearly mentioned. Logo of European Union, Jagaran Nepal and HCDA was clearly

printed in banner of the training and bag provided to training participants.

I. Resource

NRs. 7,43,500 was planned to organize the five days training.

J. Evaluation of Capacity Building Training:-

The training was found very interesting and successful. Pre-test and post test of the training

were conducted to evaluate the training. Along this daily evaluation of the training was carried

out which helps to design the next sessions.

K. Problem Faced:-

The participants from Humla joined training little bit late due to heavy snowfall in runway of the

airport and cancellation of the regular flight. He was requested to use chartered helicopter to

join training which is highly expensive. Similarly participants(two male and one female) of the

Dolpa spent eight days(6 days walking and two days driving) to participate in the training. The

regular flight to Dolpa was stop and participants have chosen alternative means to join in the

training.

L. Lessons Learnt:

Capacity building of the staff is very essential for quality work.

Capacity building of the district partners can contribute for sustainability.

Weather and transportation facilities in Karnali are challenging.

M. Conclusion:-

Election is the technical subject matter and is a continuous process. The five days capacity

building training remained very successful. In overall evaluation, the capacity building training

on "Electoral Education" was a successfully accomplished. Participants felt that their needs had

been both identified and addressed successfully.

However, most of the participants felt that the duration of the training was not enough to deal

with the issues. The enough time would have been helped the participant to practice more and

more exercise in quite relaxed avenue.

Participants highly appreciated role of the facilitators for their willingness and commitment to

facilitate the training. The cooperation from other participants and the management aspect of

the organization were also appreciated.

Report Received by

Report Prepared by:-

Signature Signature

Name Name Rajkumar Sapkota

Position Position National Project Coordinator

Date Date February-2, 2013

N. Annexes

1. Participants' structure Cast Male Female Third Gender

Total

Brahman/Chhetri 14 4 - 18

Janajati/Ethnic Group

Dalit 2 0 2

Others

Total 16 4 20

2. Photo

(Opening ceremony of the training) Mr. Komal Dhamala-Director of EEIC-Election Commission of Nepal Facilitating Training

Ms. Meena Bista- Lead Trainer Facilitating Training Participants of the training