• AFRINIC’s proposed proxy changes seen as a distraction from deeper issues.
  • Critics question whether any reform can succeed without structural overhaul.

AFRINIC’s latest election reform draws backlash

AFRINIC has introduced a proposed change to its proxy voting rules, claiming it will improve transparency and address manipulation risks in future board elections. According to the announcement, the move aims to curb the use of blanket proxies—where a single representative votes on behalf of multiple members—by implementing stricter limits and new registration requirements.

However, critics see the reform as too little, too late. Recent elections have been marred by disqualified candidates, unclear voting eligibility rules, and claims of insider bias. Opponents argue that proxy reform does not address these systemic flaws. Some members believe AFRINIC’s leadership is using the reform to deflect scrutiny from ongoing legal disputes and questions over the legitimacy of its 2024 board.

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Reforms that don’t address core dysfunction risk making things worse

While AFRINIC frames the proxy change as a step toward better governance, many in the community remain sceptical. The issue is not just the method of voting, but the credibility of the process itself. The organisation’s secretariat has been accused of voter interference and opaque decision-making—issues that no amount of procedural tweaking can fix.

The deeper concern is that AFRINIC continues to treat symptoms rather than causes. Without full transparency, independent oversight, and a functioning dispute resolution framework, elections will remain a source of division rather than legitimacy. Network operators, already facing disruption due to AFRINIC’s dysfunction, are increasingly exploring alternative registries or legal paths to secure IP resources. The risk isn’t just to AFRINIC—it’s to the entire African internet governance model.