European Union and ECES Launch EURECS-Mauritania Project to Bolster Electoral Cycle Support

Nouakchott: The European Union and the European Centre for Electoral Support (ECES) have initiated the EURECS-Mauritania project to enhance the electoral cycle in Mauritania. The project was officially launched in Nouakchott on February 2, 2026, at a ceremony attended by national institutions, international partners, and stakeholders involved in the electoral framework.According to European Union, this initiative, funded by the European Union and implemented by ECES, spans 24 months and aims to support critical institutions and actors in Mauritania's electoral process ahead of the elections slated for 2028 and 2029. The project employs an integrated and inclusive approach centered around the electoral cycle as a comprehensive process. Developed by ECES, the EURECS-Mauritania project focuses on elections as a long-term endeavor and strives to reinforce the institutional, professional, and technical capabilities of electoral stakeholders.The project's primary goal is to facilitate credible, inclusive, and p eaceful electoral proceedings, thereby bolstering citizens' confidence in democratic institutions. EURECS-Mauritania seeks to refine and unify the legal framework governing elections to ensure the organization of impartial elections that uphold neutrality and institutional objectivity. Additionally, it offers targeted capacity building for key organizations such as the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI), the Constitutional Court, the High Authority for Press and Audiovisual Media (HAPA), and the National Human Rights Commission (CNDH). The focus areas include promoting fundamental freedoms, preventing disinformation, and upholding human rights throughout the electoral cycle.The project integrates themes of gender, inclusion, citizen participation, and media roles across all activities through capacity building, technical assistance, and inter-institutional dialogue. It aligns with the broader cooperation framework between the European Union and Mauritania, as outlined by the 2021-2027 Multiann ual Indicative Programme, and supports the Global Gateway strategy. The project also contributes to the Sustainable Development Goals, specifically SDG 16 (peace, justice, and strong institutions) and SDG 5 (gender equality).The European Centre for Electoral Support, headquartered in Brussels, is a neutral, non-partisan, and non-profit foundation established in 2010. It aims to strengthen electoral processes and democratic governance globally, working mainly with funding from the European Union and its Member States. ECES has been active in over 50 countries, implementing activities in collaboration with various institutions. The EURECS methodology, developed by ECES, views elections as a long-term process and serves as a standard for implementing electoral assistance aligned with European values and EU policies.