Democracy can be bolstered by aiding nations in their democratic processes. In the mid-1980's, international assistance began to be given to countries to build or consolidate democracy. This assistance included funding, technical expertise and help with political negotiations. This aid was key in helping countries emerge from non-democratic pasts. Countries in Latin America and the Caribbean were some of the first to receive this type of assistance since they were some of the first to implement transitions from long-term dictatorships to democracy.

International assistance continues to be of considerable importance in the field of elections and political processes. Organizing and implementing elections is a complex process. In fact, some experts believe that elections are the most complex logistical recurring event in any given country.  To manage elections effectively, Electoral Management Bodies (EMBs) require ample planning and vast resources, both financial and human, to cover the massive logistical, administrative, jurisdictional, political and social costs. Poor planning significantly increases the cost of elections just as providing an adequate amount of time facilitates the proper allocation of budgets and ensures better prices for election-related commodities and services.

Poor countries tend to allocate fewer resources than are needed to carry out a successful election or to allocate them late in the process. This affects the outcome of the election since insufficient planning and preparation often result in poor management of elections. The assistance that poor countries receive from the international community is, therefore, crucial to the proper implementation of elections in those countries.

Unfortunately, over the past decade, the supply of aid for elections both from unilateral and multilateral sources has faltered. The main reason for this is that, compared to other regions, Latin America is considered to be doing well in the democratic process so it is assumed that less aid is needed. In truth, Latin America's advances in this area have increased the need for assistance as more sophisticated elections need to be run to meet the higher standards that have been adopted. Another reason for the scarcity of aid is that the international community has faced serious challenges in other parts of the world, such as wars, famines and natural disasters which have diverted their attention. Also, some of the countries that most need international aid have political environments that do not meet the international standards necessary for them to receive aid. This dwindling aid has especially affected countries such as Nicaragua and Haiti, which are in greater need of it.

The financial crisis has now compounded this problem. Not only do contributing countries have to focus on their own needs, the countries that have traditionally needed help with their elections also face greater scarcity in their resources for elections.

Ecuador and Honduras, two Latin American countries that will hold presidential elections this year, are already looking for ways to reduce their budgets without affecting the management of their elections.

Ecuador's presidential poll is being held on April 26, 2009. These elections will be the most expensive ever as the voting age was reduced from 18 to 16 and new populations have been enfranchised. However, the electoral authorities already have had to reduce their budget. One of their first cutbacks has been to exclude certain modernization practices, such as e-voting.

Honduras is another country that also relies on international funds to carry out elections. Their presidential elections will be held in November of this year. It remains to be seen whether they will be able to have enough resources to properly manage the election.