Rafael López-Pintor, a pioneer in the democracy promotion movement who has helped improve the electoral systems of more than twenty countries, is the winner of IFES' Joe C. Baxter Award. The annual award pays tribute to professionals whose work epitomizes the mission of IFES—to promote citizen participation, transparency, and accountability in political life and civil society.
"Rafael is one of the original pathfinders in democracy promotion. His contributions are both intellectual and practical. He sets a high bar for future recipients," says Bill Sweeney, IFES President & CEO.
López-Pintor, currently a Senior Electoral Cycle Specialist at IFES, is one of the acknowledged experts in the world of elections. He was the main researcher and writer of a United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)-commissioned policy book on electoral management bodies and has done top-level work on four continents.
Read the press release: Rafael López-Pintor Wins the IFES Baxter Award for Outstanding Service in Democracy Promotion
Read Rafael López-Pintor's remarks: Rafael López-Pintor’s Remarks upon Receiving the Baxter Award