Focus on Lebanon | Lobby Training Manual

August 2010

Lobbying is a critical component of the democratic process. The essence of representative government is that policymakers should be representing the needs of their constituencies when they pass laws.

Gender Issues, Civil Society, Election Law, Election Management, Elections

Kenyans Vote for a New Constitution

August 06, 2010

Kenya held a referendum to adopt a new constitution on August 4, 2010.  It was the first time Kenyans reviewed their constitution since 1963. Reports indicate that turnout was high and the election took place without violence.

Constitutional Law, Democracy Assistance, Governance

Kenya’s Referendum on the Adoption of a New Constitution

August 03, 2010

On Wednesday, August 4, Kenya will hold a referendum on the adoption of a new Constitution. This process marks the first time Kenya reviews its Constitution since it gained independence in 1963. Almami Cyllah, IFES regional director for Africa, comments on Kenya's step forward.

Constitutional Law, Democracy Assistance, Governance, Elections, Civil Society

President Barack Obama's Town Hall Meeting on Young sub-Saharan African Leaders

August 03, 2010

President Barack Obama is leading a town hall meeting at the White House with 115 young leaders from more than 40 sub-Saharan African countries on August 3. Almami Cyllah, IFES regional director for Africa, comments on the importance of the meeting.

Democracy Assistance, Governance, Civil Society, Civic Education, Education

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

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's First Free Election

June 29, 2010

Guinea went to the polls on Sunday, June 27 to participate in the country's first free election. Elizabeth Cote, IFES chief of party in Guinea, comments on Election Day and what comes next.

Elections, Governance, Gender Issues, Democracy Assistance

Kyrgyzstan Votes to Adopt A New Constitution

June 28, 2010

On Sunday, June 27, Kyrgyzstan held a referendum on the adoption of a new constitution. This poll was held just 80 days after the violent overthrow of President Kurmanbek Bakiyev and in the immediate aftermath of ethnic Kyrgyz-Uzbek conflicts in Kyrgyzstan’s south that left hundreds dead and at least 300,000 people displaced.

Democracy Assistance, Governance, Civil Society

Palestinian Local Elections 2010

June 2010

Under the leadership of President Yasser Arafat, the Palestinian Authority’s Cabinet called the 2004 local elections, managed under the authority of the Ministry of Local Government in three stages throughout 2005. However, because of operational and political challenges, local elections were held in four stages on six different dates and were never finalized; elections in over 100 councils were postponed indefinitely. In February 2010, the Cabinet called for local elections in the West Bank and Gaza for 17 July 2010.

Electoral Systems, Election Disputes, Election Procedures, Governance, Election Management

IFES COPs appear on WNPR's Talk Radio Show "Where We Live"

June 07, 2010

Four IFES Chiefs of Party (COP) appeared on the radio show "Where We Live" on Connecticut's WNPR. They spoke with the show's host John Dankosky about democracy around the world and what NGOs like IFES can do to support the democratic processes of different countries. The participants were Richard Chambers, COP in Lebanon; Elizabeth Cote, COP in Guinea; Sean Dunne, COP in Iraq; and Samia Mahgoub, COP in Burundi.

Democracy Assistance, Civil Society, Elections, Governance, Civic Education