AFRINIC Elections

AFRINIC Members and the global Internet resource community play a vital role in AFRINIC’s success by nominating candidates and voting in AFRINIC elections. AFRINIC encourages all eligible voters to participate in these elections, and we expect the results of each election to be respected.

During the election period, each afrinic election member entitled to vote will receive an email with the link to the online voting system and instructions on how to submit their votes. The email will also include information on a method for requesting a proxy to cast your votes on your behalf.

The election period starts at least 14 days before the AGMM date and ends on the day of the AGMM meeting. During this time, you can only vote once per candidate. You must be logged into your AFRINIC account to cast your votes. Nominations and candidate endorsements will be publicised on the AFRINIC website as they are received. If you wish to withdraw your nomination, you must notify the NomCom Chair of this by email.

AFRINIC Elections Are Important

In order to ensure that the electronic voting system is secure, AFRINIC shall establish an “Election Committee” to oversee and support the elections process. This Committee will consist of the AFRINIC Chief Executive Officer, the Chairperson of NomCom and AFRINIC’s Legal Counsel. The Election Committee will cause the counting and tallying of all e-votes (including abstentions) as well as other logistical supports to run smoothly.

AFRINIC’s Board of Directors and Governance Committee members are elected to serve a three-year term. A successful candidate will be able to contribute significantly to the development and growth of the Internet in Africa. The Board is responsible for the overall direction and management of AFRINIC’s business, ensuring that its resources are deployed to best meet the needs of the registrants and the community.

A number of issues have been threatening the collapse of the organisation, including allegations of sexual harassment and an inability to address members’ calls for reform. The current board has also been unable to dissolve the corporation due to the value of its assets, which would require the sale of IPv4 addresses worth millions of dollars on the open market.

However, the African Internet community appears to be far more determined and united than it might appear. Nii Quaynor, a key figure in the council of elders who is tasked with preventing AFRINIC’s implosion, delivered a rallying speech at Friday’s closing of the African Internet Summit. In it, he said that the organisation had become too political for his liking and that a few unnamed individuals were too crazy for power. He then added that the rest of the community remained determined to rebuild the organisation. A message that was widely praised at the event.