AFRINIC
Kurtis Lindqvist steps in: ICANN CEO challenges AFRINIC election
ICANN has initiated legal action over AFRINIC’s flawed June 2025 board election, demanding transparency and warning of sanctions.
Headline
ICANN has initiated legal action over AFRINIC’s flawed June 2025 board election, demanding transparency and warning of sanctions.
Context
In June 2025, ICANN formally warned the court-appointed receiver of AFRINIC , expressing “grave concern” about voting irregularities during the June 23 board election, particularly regarding the use of Powers of Attorney and potential conflicts within the nomination committee. Reports claimed proxy forms were wrongly used to cast votes on behalf of legitimate members, prompting ICANN to demand detailed explanations and fresh procedural reforms. By 20 June, ICANN had succeeded in securing a legal ruling requiring the receiver to clarify membership records, reconstitute the nomination committee, and publish detailed remedial steps before proceeding with the election. These actions underscored ICANN’s commitment to upholding regional registry integrity under its global framework.
Evidence
Pending intelligence enrichment.
Analysis
Also read: ICANN threatens to derecognize AFRINIC after years of silence Also read: ICANN’s opposition to legal POAs will deter participation in AFRINIC elections On election day, widespread confusion and last-minute irregularities emerged. Near the end of in-person voting on 23 June, elections were suspended amid allegations of invalid Powers of Attorney—and some possible duplicate voting. Police complaints followed, and within days the election was formally annulled to allow further investigation. Following the annulment, ICANN’s President and CEO, Kurt Lindqvist, criticised what he called a “shocking” breach of standards and reiterated that AFRINIC could face compliance review or sanctions unless transparency improved. The Number Resource Organization (NRO), which represents all five regional internet registries, echoed ICANN’s stance. In a public statement, the NRO reaffirmed its commitment to “open, transparent, and high-integrity governance processes,” urging AFRINIC to resolve issues through established multistakeholder methods.
Key Points
- ICANN took legal action in Mauritius to protect the fairness and transparency of AFRINIC’s troubled board election.
- AFRINIC faces global scrutiny, with ICANN and the NRO signalling reform before any future elections proceed.
Actions
Pending intelligence enrichment.
