The Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy Conakry welcomed civil society members, non governmental organizations, members of the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI), political parties members, and both independent and government journalists to an Africa Regional Services (ARS) Paris Digital Video Conference on the 2008 Primary Elections in the United States. Steven Ekovich explained the organization of various states’ caucuses and primaries as well as the national party conventions and delegates to the rapt audience, all of whom find themselves with a role to play in the upcoming Guinean elections as citizens, observers, or organizers.

They were eager to ask an elections expert from the United States questions that satisfied their curiosity about current candidates and that could assist them with similar situations in Guinea. One participant was concerned about the heavy focus on Senator Barack Obama’s race in the media. Ekovich addressed two sides of the question. First, in some cases, this can be a way to reach African American voters. Secondly, it also highlights the fact that his race does not impede white voters from supporting him. Other questions centered on campaign finances. Ekovich explained in detail how a voter contributes transparently.

This series could not have fallen at a more opportune moment to stimulate discussion in Guinea about elections as their own loom near. By the end of the day, people in the audience were asking about the next conference and hoping both to return for that discussion and to include others. With the broad range of media coverage, PAS Conakry expects to reach a broad spectrum of the Guinean population.  This conference was a tremendous success and PAS looks forward to the remaining DVCs in this series.