The International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES)  and the Burundian Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) partnered to  hold Burundi's first BRIDGE (Building  Resources in Democracy, Governance and Elections) training high in the  hills of Ngozi, from March 3 – 6, 2010. Bringing together 25 participants from  the CENI's national and provincial bureaus, many of whom were newly appointed 6  months ago, the workshop focused on providing the administrators with the  necessary tools and skills to organize key operational elements of the upcoming  rounds of elections.

Burundian electoral administrators face challenging month  ahead as they move forward with organizing a series of five elections, including  local, legislative and presidential. Although the commission is young, it is  moving ahead energetically to meet the demands of this electoral year. Through  its collaboration with IFES and other international partners including the EU  and UNDP, the CENI is developing professional capacity to organize transparent  and credible elections in the midst of a tense political situation resulting  from years of civil war.

The Ngozi training drew on elements of BRIDGE's introductory  modules as well as a specific focus on polling, counting and results, and  electoral access. The BRIDGE training is the first in a series of two trainings  to be held. The second training will take place on April 6-9 and will focus on  political contestants and electoral disputes.