About EISA

EISA is a not for profit organisation. It was established in 1996 and is based in Johannesburg (South Africa) with field offices in Kinshasa (DRC), N'Djamena (Chad), Antananarivo (Madagascar), Maputo (Mozambique), and Nairobi (Kenya).

Our vision

An African continent where democratic governance, human rights and citizen participation are upheld in a peaceful environment.

Mission statement

EISA strives for excellence in the promotion of credible elections, citizen participation, and the strengthening of political institutions for sustainable democracy in Africa.

EISA vise l’excellence dans la promotion des élections crédibles, la participation citoyenne et le renforcement des institutions pour une démocratie durable en Afrique

O EISA procura atingir a excelência na promoção de eleições credíveis, participação cívica e fortalecimento das instituições políticas para uma democracia sustentável em África.

Board of directors

EISA is governed by a Board of Directors. It also enjoys the patronage of Sir Ketumile Masire (Botswana).

Executive Director

Denis Kadima (Democratic Republic of Congo) is the Executive Director of the Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa (EISA). He has participated in about 50 electoral processes worldwide in different capacities. In July 2010, he took sabbatical leave and worked for the United Nations, first as the Director of the United Nations Referendum and Electoral Division supporting the self-determination referendum in Southern Sudan (July 2010 - March 2011) and, second, as the Chief Technical Advisor for UNDP in Tunisia (April - July 2011) helping to kick-start preparations for the forthcoming National Constituent Assembly elections. Mr. Kadima has published extensively on political party systems, electoral systems and processes and election observation. He founded EISA's accredited Journal of African Elections and has published extensively on elections and democracy. Mr. Kadima is the Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the Johannesburg-based Southern Africa Trust and a Board member of the Geneva-based Peace Nexus Foundation.
Email the Executive Director

Programme areas

EISA works in a number of programme areas, including

  • Democracy, conflict management and electoral education
  • Elections and political processes
  • Balloting and electoral services
  • Governance (political partes, APRM, institutions of governance and local governance)
  • Online Democracy Encyclopedia
  • Research and information (including a specialised library and in house publications)

Support services

Program activities are supported by a number of programme officers in special focus areas:

  • Research
  • Library
  • Publications
  • ICTs (Information and Communication Technologies)
  • Finance and Administration