Philippines Election and President Noynoy Aquino's Taking of Office

July 01, 2010

Juhani Grossman, deputy chief of party in the Philippines, comments on the May 10, 2010 election and President Noynoy Aquino’s taking of office.

Election Observation, Elections, Voting Technology, Election Management, Election Disputes

Presidential Elections in Burundi

July 01, 2010

The first round of presidential elections took place in Burundi on June 28, 2010. These were the second set of polls this year; communal elections took place on May 24. These elections are the first time Burundians go to the polls since the rebels laid down their arms after years of civil war. IFES carried out a far-reaching program to prevent a return to violence as candidates competed for seats.

Elections, Post-conflict, Voter Turnout, Election Observation, Election Procedures

Vendors Demonstrate EVM Technology in Pakistan

June 30, 2010

The Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) Committee, established by the Chief Election Commissioner of Pakistan in November 2009, is tasked with conducting a feasibility study into the introduction of EVMs in Pakistan. The committee includes senior members from the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and electoral experts from IFES. As part of the feasibility study, three leading EVM solution providers traveled to Pakistan and demonstrated their products.

Voting Technology, Election Management, Civil Society, Elections, Election Procedures

Guinea's First Free Election

June 29, 2010

Guinea went to the polls on Sunday, June 27 to participate in the country's first free election. Elizabeth Cote, IFES chief of party in Guinea, comments on Election Day and what comes next.

Elections, Governance, Gender Issues, Democracy Assistance

Countdown to Kyrgyzstan's Referendum

June 24, 2010

This Sunday, 27 June 2010 Kyrgyzstan will hold a referendum on the adoption of a new constitution. The referendum, administered by a new (interim) Central Election Commission (CEC), will be held just 80 days after the violent overthrow of President Kurmanbek Bakiyev. Adding to the usual challenges of holding an electoral event within such a short timeframe, recent ethnic Kyrgyz-Uzbek conflicts in Kyrgyzstan’s south has left hundreds dead and at least 300,000 people displaced, creating a state of emergency.

Voter Registration, Elections, Democracy Assistance, Election Procedures

Guinea: Ready or not… Here we go!

June 23, 2010

If all goes according to plan, Guinea will hold its presidential election on 27 June. With 24 contenders and a half-dozen favorites, this will be the first time candidates are representative of a large cross-section of Guinean society. IFES has been supporting the Independent National Electoral Commission of Guinea (CENI) and civil society in preparation of these elections.

Civil Society, Elections, Legal Framework, Electoral Systems, Voter Registration

Reflecting on the Philippine’s 1986 and 2010 Elections

June 23, 2010

Bill Sweeney, IFES President and CEO, was in the Philippines to observe the 10 May 2010 elections. It was a historic election as it was the first time the Philippines used automated voting across the entire country. It was an especially memorable election for Mr. Sweeney as the first international election he monitored was the high-stakes 1986 Filipino presidential election between the infamous Ferdinand E. Marcos and highly-esteemed Corazon C. Aquino. In this essay, Mr. Sweeney shares his thoughts on the two elections, taking place in extremely different circumstances, and the changes he noticed in the Philippines.

Elections, Voting Technology, Election Disputes, Electoral Systems

Burundi’s Slow Walk towards Democracy

June 23, 2010

On 28 June, Burundians will go to the polls and vote in a presidential election far different from what was expected just over a month ago. They will be given the option of voting either for or against a single candidate, the current president, Mr. Pierre Nkurunziza.

Elections, Electoral Systems

Filipino Detainees, Volcanoes (and Elections, Too)

June 23, 2010

As I left for the Philippines on 5 May to observe its elections, it was bittersweet since the day before was Election Day in my hometown in Virginia and I’d just lost my election for City Council by 80 votes. Going 8,000 miles away seemed like a good idea.

Elections, Voting Technology, Voter Turnout

International NGO Releases Survey Findings on Women’s Political Standing in Morocco

June 22, 2010

RABAT—A national survey on attitudes towards the political, economic, social and legal status of women in Morocco released today by the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) and the Institute for Women’s Policy Research (IWPR) shows that while women’s political and civic participation is low, there is relatively high support for gender quotas on behalf of both sexes. The survey, however, indicated that men are much less supportive than women of the Family Law or Moudawana.

Gender Issues, Public Opinion, Election Observation, Elections