Photo Gallery: IFES 2017 Photography Contest Winner and Finalists

An image of Sri Lankan youth displaying a kite decorated to promote their voting rights during an event co-hosted by the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) and the Election Commission of Sri Lanka was selected as the Grand Prize winner of the IFES 2017 Photography Contest. The winning photo was taken by Sri Lankan photographer Nisharigan Kamaladhas at the "Kites for Rights" event and selected by an IFES panel.

A photo of Haitians standing patiently in the rain to vote for legislative and local elections on January 29th, 2017, received an honorable mention. This photo was taken by IFES Haiti Senior Program Officer Jean Baptiste Azolin.

IFES selected nine photographs of elections and other civic activities as finalists in the democracy-themed contest, which was open to all levels of photographers. Photos that captured the essence of IFES' core areas of work – electoral integrity, participation and inclusion, accountability, and women's empowerment – were the most compelling.

Click here to view the photo gallery.

Kites for rights – Grand Prize

Nisharigan Kamaladhas, Sri Lanka

Youth participants decorate kites to promote their voting rights during IFES and the Election Commission of Sri Lanka's "Kites for Rights" event.

Bad weather and election – Honorable Mention

Jean Baptiste Azolin, Haiti

Haitians stood patiently in line to vote for legislative and local elections on January 29th, 2017, despite the bad weather.