2011-2012 NEWS & VIEWS
MUNICIPAL COUNCILORS PENSION FUND, DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA
November 2011
On 25 November 2011 the initial “proof of concept” election technology pilot was undertaken by the future founders of the Delian Project, in collaboration with the Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa (EISA). The local election was in support of the City of Durban’s Municipal Councilors Pension Fund in South Africa.
POST-CONFLICT ELECTION RESEARCH EXPEDITION, TRIPOLI, LIBYA
December 2011
Following the 2011 conflict in Libya, a Canadian election research expedition was sent to Tripoli to meet with senior representatives of the National Transition Council (NTC). Delian’s future founders were tasked with researching what form of election structure the NTC was considering.
THE DELIAN PROJECT LAUNCHED!
April 2012
Following a six-month trial “proof of concept” period, the Delian Project was formally launched in Toronto, Ontario as a Canadian registered not-for-profit, Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) with a focus on supporting disabled voters through technology. The Chair of Delian’s Board of Directors is the past CEO of Elections Ontario, John Hollins, while its Senior Advisor is Jean-Pierre Kingsley, past CEO of Elections Canada and a former President of IFES.
DELIAN AT THE 5TH IEAS, MAURITIUS
May 2012
The Delian Project officially took part in its first international election forum as a registered NGO during the 5th International Electoral Affairs Symposium in Mauritius. Hosted by the International Centre for Parliamentary Studies, the three-day event ran from 29-31 May 2012, and focused on several topics including campaign finance reform and the use of election technology in Africa.
ELECTION ASSESSMENT MISSION, HAITI
June 2012
At the request of the UNESCO Special Envoy to Haiti, Jean-Pierre Kingsley led a two-person election technology assessment team to Porte-au-Prince from 11-14 June 2012. Various stakeholders were engaged, including the Government of Haiti, OAS, UNDP, the Embassy of Canada, and the UN Peacekeeping force MINUSTAH.
ELECTIONS IN MONGOLIA
June 2012
Delian members deployed to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, in support of the 28 June 2012 Legislative Elections, overseen by the General Election Commission of Mongolia. Key tasks in partnership with the Canadian Embassy were logistical oversight and the establishment of security frameworks. Of note, the 2012 elections were the first deployment of election technology (ballot tabulators) in Mongolia.
U.S. PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS, NEW YORK
November 2012
In collaboration with Westchester County, Delian facilitated senior representatives from the Independent Elections Commission of South Africa to observe polling locations during the U.S. Presidential elections. Though the New York area was still recovering from the lingering effects of Hurricane Sandy, Delian’s team were able to visit voting locations in Westchester and Orange County, as well as observe the election results live from Times Square.