IFES Supports Civil Society Organizations in Advance of the 2010 People’s Assembly Elections in Egypt
August 26, 2010
IFES is supporting civil society organizations conducting voter education activities in advance of the 2010 People’s Assembly Elections in Egypt. During the month of August, IFES co-sponsored a workshop with the Al Ahram Center for Political and Strategic Studies for civil society organizations to discuss women’s political participation. In the month of April, IFES hosted a conference in partnership with the Cairo University’s Faculty of Economics and Political Science and NAS, an NGO that supports persons with disabilities, on access to electoral processes for persons with disabilities. The conference emphasized the importance of political participation among all members of society. It was attended by more than 60 representatives of civil society organizations from across Egypt.
Civil Society,
Elections,
Civic Education,
People with Disabilities
Kyrgyzstan Votes to Adopt a New Constitution
July 20, 2010
On Sunday, 27 June 2010 Kyrgyzstan held a referendum to consider adopting a new constitution. The referendum, administered by a new (interim) Central Election Commission (CEC), was held just 80 days after the violent overthrow of President Kurmanbek Bakiyev and just weeks after a violent ethnic clash between Kyrgyz and Uzbeks in the south of the country. With a near 70% turnout, voters overwhelmingly approved changes to the constitution affecting the electoral system, the separation of powers, the judicial system, human rights, and local self-government. With the changes Kyrgyzstan is set to become Central Asia’s first parliamentary republic, though the serious work of implementation lay ahead.
Elections,
Election Observation,
Voter Turnout
Election Day in Tbilisi, Georgia
June 10, 2010
Throughout the month of May, Georgia prepared for elections to choose representatives to local councils (sakrebulos) as well as the mayor of the capital city of Tbilisi. This represents the first time that voters would directly elect a mayor. IFES contributed to pre-election preparations through a number of initiatives, including sponsoring live television debates featuring the Tbilisi mayoral candidates; supporting local organizations to get out the vote, produce debates, and observe the election; facilitating a Memorandum of Understanding on the Abuse of Administrative Resources; producing voter education posters, leaflets, and T-shirts; and other activities. Election Day, May 30, 2010, was peaceful and orderly. The OSCE noted deficiencies in the electoral framework and the uneven playing field, but called these elections "evident progress" towards Georgia meeting its international commitments.
Elections,
People with Disabilities,
Voter Registration
Lebanon 2010 Election Preparation
June 01, 2010
On 9th May 2010 Lebanon held elections across the muhafaza of Bekaa and Beirut. IFES worked with Ministry of Interior and Municipalities to ensure all electoral staff had uniforms, accreditation badges, polling manuals and displayed informational posters.
Burundians Vote in Communal Elections
May 24, 2010
On May 24, 2010, communal elections, the first in a series of polls that will take place in Burundi this summer, were held. This series of elections are the first to be implemented in Burundi since the rebels laid down their arms and ended years of civil war. The district elections are considered to be crucial for the consolidation of peace in the war-ravaged country. They are seen a barometer for the electoral period which will include presidential, legislative and local elections by September 2010.
Elections,
Election Observation,
Democracy Assistance,
Voter Turnout
The Philippines Goes to the Polls
May 12, 2010
On May 10, 2010 Filipinos went to the polls to cast ballots for president, vice-president, senators, congressmen, governors, mayors and other key offices in their national and local election. For the first time ever, Precinct Count Optical Scan (PCOS) machines were used nation-wide. These images, taken by John Lawrence, IFES congressional affairs manager, provide a glimpse into the preparations for Election Day and the polling day itself in the Manila metropolitan area.
Elections,
Election Observation,
Voting Technology,
Democracy Assistance,
Voter Turnout
Televised Candidate Debate in Tbilisi, Georgia
May 08, 2010
In anticipation of local elections at the end of the month, IFES organized and sponsored live, televised candidate debates for the post of mayor of Tbilisi, Georgia, together with Georgian Public Broadcasting. These debates represent a first in Georgian democracy – live debates featuring candidates running for office have never been produced before.
Political Parties,
Democracy Assistance,
Civil Society,
Civic Education,
Elections
Theatre Productions to Prevent Election Violence in Burundi
April 23, 2010
Putting behind ten years of civil war, IFES–Burundi has launched a massive electoral violence prevention program. The centerpiece of the program is the IFES EVER election violence prevention early warning system that counts with 12 national and international partners and 450 monitors. The EVER prevention program is complemented by a number of other programs including a series of community theatre productions that show the importance of having a peaceful election. These productions, Theatre et Reconciliation ,which are touring the country, have attracted thousands of spectators and the attention of the local media.
Elections,
Election Disputes,
Democracy Assistance
BRIDGE Training in Burundi
April 20, 2010
IFES-Burundi held the second in a series of BRIDGE trainings in Rutana, Burundi from April 6-9. The event brought together twenty-five members of Burundi's national and provincial electoral commission to explore topics critical to effectively prevent and manage electoral disputes. Burundi is scheduled to have communal, presidential, legislative and local elections between May and September 2010.
Elections,
Electoral Systems,
Election Disputes,
Civic Education,
Democracy Assistance