With the government of Guinea voicing
its commitment to hold National Assembly elections in late 2008,
USAID recently helped launch a train-the-trainer program aimed at
instructing some 15,000 election workers on voter registration,
election law and procedure. The August 7-8 inauguration of the Administrative
Commission to Review Electoral Lists, known by its French acronym
CARLE, drew members of the diplomatic corps, the United Nations,
the Government of Guinea and civil society, all of whom reiterated
their commitment to assist the Guinean people in their quest for
democratic reform.
Many in Guinea see the upcoming National Assembly
Elections as the nation’s best chance in nearly a half-century
to launch a new era where good governance and accountability provide
the foundation for economic reform and the chance for a better life.
During the civil unrest of 2006 and 2007, the people of Guinea made
clear to the government and the world that the time had come for
change. With the launching of CARLE, energy for change is channeled
into elections through education and a commitment to see the process
through. For the 100 plus trainers gathered at the inauguration,
CARLE is the expression of this change.