Nigeria: Debating a New Voters Register Four Months before Election Day

August 25, 2010

Earlier this year, Nigeria held the world’s attention with the illness and subsequent death of President Umaru Yar'Adua. After his passing, Vice President Goodluck Jonathan assumed the presidency. In January 2011, the tenure of the current presidency will expire and Nigeria will hold presidential elections to elect the country’s next leader.

Voter Registration, Elections, Education

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

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

Rebuilding Haiti’s Democracy

May 26, 2010

It has now been widely acknowledged that Haiti’s natural disaster could rapidly turn into a political fiasco if elections are not held promptly and in a manner that is free, fair and credible. On May 8, the terms of one-third of the Senate and the entire House of Representatives— and, by extension, the Parliament—expired. In addition, the terms of all local officials will expire in early to mid-2011, and the President’s term expires on February 7 of next year.

Elections, Governance, Democracy Assistance, Electoral Systems, Voter Registration

New Technology and Elections in the Philippines

May 2010

The public thirst for rapid and objective results has increasingly led countries to adopt new technology in the electoral process. Automation is often a complicated process, especially in countries with limited infrastructure, and where frequently the attention of decision-makers gets overwhelmingly focused on technical aspects. Technology, impacts all aspects of elections, including those that might at first seem immune, but eventually may lead to unintended consequences.

Voting Technology, Voter Registration, Election Procedures, Election Ballots, Electoral Systems

IFES Works in Uganda Ahead of 2011 Polls

May 13, 2010

IFES will begin working in Uganda in early June. One of the main projects IFES will be working on is the voter registration process. As this process will already be well underway by the time IFES arrives in Uganda, our technical experts will work with the Electoral Commission (EC) to develop high-level mechanisms through which voters can verify their registration information, including a web-based voter register and an SMS registration verification system.

Voter Registration, Voting Technology, Election Management, Election Procedures, Democracy Assistance

IFES Begins a Program in Nigeria

April 23, 2010

IFES has begun a new project in Nigeria to help the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) prepare for the 2011 elections.

Political Finance, Election Management, Voter Registration, Election Disputes, Democracy Assistance

International Conference on Voter Lists in Moldova

April 23, 2010

An international conference entitled “New Technologies in the Compilation and Use of Voter Lists: Evolutions and Perspectives” took place on April 21st in Chisinau, Republic of Moldova.

Voting Technology, Voter Registration, Election Procedures, Democracy Assistance, Election Management

IFES Signs Memorandum with Moldova's Election Commission

April 22, 2010

On April 22, 2010, IFES signed a Memorandum of Cooperation with the Central Election Commission (CEC) of Moldova.

Voter Registration, Electoral Systems, Election Procedures, Election Management, Civic Education