Governance
Democracy
Partnerships
Integrity
Centre for African Governance and Electoral Systems Constitution
The Centre for African Governance and Electoral Systems (CAGES) is a non-profit, non-partisan, and Pan-Africanist organization committed to deepening democratic values, strengthening electoral systems, and promoting good governance.
Through research, advocacy, strategic partnerships, and capacity-building initiatives, CAGES works to safeguard democratic norms, ensure credible elections, and uphold the rule of law. At the core of our mission is the unwavering belief that governance should be inclusive, elections should be credible, and leadership should be accountable to the electorate.
Our Vision
A democratic, just, and well-governed Africa where transparent electoral processes, strong institutions, and accountable leadership are the foundations of sustainable development and peace.
Our Mission
To promote electoral justice, deepen democracy, and enhance governance in Africa through research, advocacy, civic engagement, and strategic collaboration.
We, the CAGES members are united in our commitment to promoting good governance, democracy, and credible electoral systems across Africa, hereby establish this Constitution to guide our operations, uphold our principles, and achieve our objectives.
Our Focus
Promoting good governance, democracy, and credible electoral systems
Our work is rooted in evidence-based interventions, strategic partnerships, and sustained engagement with policymakers, election management bodies (EMBs), civil society, and the broader citizenry.
Models to engage citizens in meaningful discussions
Social Media Campaign platforms to launch campaigns that focus on governance issues relevant to youth, such as voting rights, political representation, and civic responsibilities.
Empowering young leaders to become civic ambassadors in their communities by conducting workshops, school events, and lead dialogues on civic rights and responsibilities.
Working with organizations like UNDP, International IDEA, and the African Union to support youth-driven governance initiatives, fund transparency projects, and provide resources for civic education.
These discussions should cover issues like policy-making processes, party platforms, and transparent governance to bridge the gap between youth and political entities.
The program aims to deepen democratic governance, promote peace, regional cohesion, and economic integration of EAC, and engage with former heads of state, think tanks, policymakers, and civil society actors in open dialogue, and mentorship programs to build a more inclusive, peaceful and prosperous East African Community.
This is essential to level the electoral playing field and ensure fair political competition. CAGES advocates for robust legal frameworks, enforcement mechanisms, and public awareness of political financing regulations. Our work includes monitoring campaign expenditures, promoting disclosure of political donations, and supporting policy reforms to curb the undue influence of money in elections.
Governance Sructure
Our effective governance structure helps ensure accountability, transparency, and alignment of objectives.
The supreme decision-making body comprising all members. Approve significant organizational policies.
They are responsible for strategic oversight and governance of African Governance and Electoral Systems.
The head of the Secretariat responsible for daily operations and implementation of programs.
Standing and Ad-Hoc Committees may be established to oversee specific functions or projects.
Our Foundation
Ensuring the involvement of citizens and civil society in policy-making ensuring legitimacy of electoral and governance frameworks.
We aim to create custom strategic solutions that include tactics which have been previously proven, and battle tested with outstanding results.
We achieve on our goals through collaborating with you and our key alliances & partners to achieve results specific to your unique goals.
Key Strategies
We strongly believe that these solutions aim to enhance trust and legitimacy across governance frameworks in Africa.
Leveraging Technology for Electoral Integrity
- Blockchain Voting Systems: Ensures secure, tamper-proof records and boosts voter confidence by creating transparent and immutable election results.
- Biometric Voter Registration: Reduces voter fraud by ensuring each eligible voter is registered only once and can be accurately verified.
Strengthening Electoral Institutions and Laws
- Independent Electoral Commissions: Fully autonomous electoral bodies that are insulated from political influence ensure free and fair elections.
- Constitutional Term Limits: Enforcing term limits for political leaders discourages authoritarianism and encourages democratic transitions of power.