- AFRINIC election staff and NomCom members must adhere to rigorous ethical standards to ensure transparency and fairness in the election process.
- Establishing clear guidelines is crucial to restoring confidence and integrity in AFRINIC’s governance, especially amid the ongoing crisis.
Transparency and Accountability
In light of AFRINIC’s ongoing governance crisis, all election staff and members of the Nominations Committee (NomCom) must adhere to the highest ethical standards. These standards must include full transparency in all election processes. As the Regional Internet Registry (RIR) for Africa, AFRINIC plays a vital role in managing the continent’s critical internet resources, and maintaining transparency is fundamental to ensuring confidence in its governance.
Election staff should ensure that all records related to the election process are clear, publicly available, and accurately documented. This is in alignment with global standards for internet governance, such as those upheld by ICANN and other Regional Internet Registries (RIRs) worldwide. Any disputes or irregularities must be addressed promptly, and stakeholders should have access to clear, substantiated information to maintain confidence in the election process.
Also read: AFRINIC election results face legitimacy challenge over governance breaches
Also read: AFRINIC election: Voter fraud uncovered as ECom member threatens to resign
Impartiality, Integrity, and Ethical Decision-Making
Election staff and NomCom members must maintain impartiality and neutrality throughout the election process. Ensuring a level playing field for all candidates is fundamental to the credibility of AFRINIC’s elections. All candidates should be treated equally, without external interference, to safeguard the integrity of the democratic process.
The voting process itself must be protected, ensuring that all votes are counted fairly and securely. No votes should be discarded without proper justification, and election staff must ensure that the process remains free from manipulation or fraud.
Additionally, ethical decision-making is critical for maintaining the integrity of AFRINIC’s elections. Election staff and NomCom members must prioritise the long-term stability of African internet governance over personal or organisational interests. In cases where ethical dilemmas arise, staff must seek independent guidance to ensure that decisions serve the best interests of the community.
