

GIJN's latest board elections have concluded and this cohort's seven members include (top row, left to right): Margo Smit (at-large), Bruce Shapiro (at-large), Nina Selbo Torset (Europe), and Syed Nazakat (Asia/Pacific), as well as (bottom row, left to right): Khadija Sharife (at-large), Oleg Khomenok (at-large), and Anton Harber (sub-Saharan Africa). Image: Courtesy of GIJN
GIJN 2023 Board Election Results: Four Incumbents Re-Elected, Three New Members
GIJN’s member organizations voted to re-elect four current board members who were up for election this year, and added three new board members.
The GIJN community chose to re-elect three at-large members — Margo Smit (Netherlands), Bruce Shapiro (USA), and Oleg Khomenok (Ukraine), and added a fourth, Khadija Sharife (South Africa).
Three regional representatives were also elected: Nina Selbo Torset (Europe); incumbent Syed Nazakat (Asia/Pacific); and former board member Anton Harber (sub-Saharan Africa).
Mr. Harber was in a three-way tie with two other African candidates, and won through a digital coin toss, per GIJN by-laws, held by election coordinator John Bones of GIJN member SKUP (Norway).
In all, 11 candidates vied for 7 seats on the 15-member board. Elections for half the board are held every year. Board members serve for two years.
The top vote-getter was Khadija Sharife. Full voting information is available here.
The elected board members are:
- Anton Harber (South Africa)
- Oleg Khomenok (Ukraine)
- Syed Nazakat (India)
- Bruce Shapiro (USA)
- Khadija Sharife (South Africa)
- Margo Smit (Netherlands)
- Nina Selbo Torset (Norway)
Voting took place by electronic ballot from August 23 to September 6. For election background and rules, see our post on GIJN’s 2023 Board Election.