EISA is a non-partisan international non-governmental organization which was established in 1996 in Johannesburg, South Africa. Its core business is to provide technical assistance for capacity building of electoral management bodies, political parties, parliaments, relevant government departments and civil society organizations operating in the democracy and governance fields throughout the African continent.

EISA envisions an African continent where democratic governance, human rights and citizen participation are upheld in a peaceful environment. EISA strives for excellence in the promotion of credible elections, citizen participation, and the strengthening of political institutions for sustainable democracy in Africa.

EISA works throughout the African continent and spares no effort to reach and meaningfully support all of its five sub-regions.The Institute has a successful track record of providing technical assistance and advice to its pan-African, regional and national partners, thus helping build solid institutional foundations for democracy. This technical assistance includes electoral system reforms; election monitoring and observation; constructive conflict management; strengthening of parliaments and selected democratic institutions; strengthening of political parties; capacity building for civil society organizations; and enhancing the institutional capacity of the election management bodies.