IFES Presents Groundbreaking Framework to Combat Electoral Fraud

August 26, 2010

In an ideal world every ballot would be protected, every vote kept safe, and every election above reproach.  In reality, however, no vote can be completely free of all fraud and we must keep a constant watch for anything that would cast doubt on the legitimacy of the electoral process.

Electoral Systems, Democracy Assistance, Election Observation, Legal Framework

Election Commission of Pakistan Holds Workshop on Electoral Reform

August 17, 2010

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), supported by IFES, conducted a workshop on Electoral Systems and Reform. The event, held on August 16 2010, included a presentation from Prof. Andrew Reynolds (University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill), one of the world’s leading experts on electoral systems. Participants included the Chief Election Commissioner, other senior members of the ECP from all four provinces of Pakistan, civil society representatives and IFES Pakistan staff members.

Election Management, Elections, Election Procedures, Election Law, Legal Framework

Free and Fair Election Network Launches Political and Electoral Violence Reports

August 17, 2010

On Monday 16 August the Free and Fair Election Network launched the first two reports from its IFES funded Political and Electoral Violence Education and Resolution (PEVER) project. The project has used FAFEN’s field monitors in 150 constituencies throughout Pakistan to report on and verify incidences of political and electoral violence since October 2009. The first two reports cover the period of 15 October 2009 to 31 May 2010.

Election Management, Elections, Election Procedures, Electoral Systems, Post-conflict

IFES and Palestinian Elections Commission Hold a Lessons Learned Conference

August 16, 2010

IFES and the Palestinian Central Elections Commission (CEC) held a lessons learned conference to evaluate the stages of the electoral process that have already been completed in Palestine. At the event, which took place on August 8-10 at the InterContinetal Hotel in Jericho,  the CEC staff discussed issues such as voter education and logistics as well as voter registration and the nomination of candidates.

Voter Registration, Election Procedures, Electoral Systems

A Review of Burundi’s Legislative Elections

July 29, 2010

Burundi legislative elections were held as scheduled on July 23, 2010 and were the third of a series of five polls to take place in the country from May to September 2010. Seven political parties and two independents took part in the July 23 poll in which Burundians were called to elect 100 representatives.

Elections, Electoral Systems, Political Parties, Post-conflict

Building a Better Election Process in Georgia

July 27, 2010

Election Day on May 30, 2010, in Tbilisi, Georgia was calm and orderly, and the results of the municipal elections brought few surprises. The incumbent mayor, Gigi Ugulava, won the Tbilisi mayoral race with 55% of the vote, and the United National Movement (the party of President Mikheil Saakashvili) dominated council votes across the country.

Elections, Post-conflict, Political Parties, Election Observation, Electoral Systems

Celebrating 20 Years of Increased Political Access Through the ADA

July 26, 2010

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which is a clear, consistent and enforceable national mandate for the elimination of discrimination against individuals with disabilities, was passed into law twenty years ago on July 26, 1990. The ADA had a powerful effect in the United States that also reverberated around the world.

People with Disabilities, Civil Society, Elections, Electoral Systems

Jordanian Election Administrators Aim for More Transparency

July 26, 2010

Jordanians will elect a new lower house of the Jordanian parliament, the Majlis al-Nuwaab or Council of Representatives, on November 9, 2010. These elections come a year earlier than originally scheduled, but almost a year after His Majesty King Abdullah II dissolved parliament in November 2009—two years before the end of its mandate.

Election Law, Governance, Elections, Electoral Systems, Political Parties

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