Use of Administrative Resources for Election Campaign in Georgia - 2nd Report

May 11, 2010

The second interim report on monitoring the use of administrative resources for election campaign covers the period of time between 15 March and 5 May 2010 and focuses on the four main types of administrative resources: coercive, financial, material‐technical and human. The analysis shows that there have, so far, been fewer violations during the campaign for the 30 May local elections than was the case during the 2008 early presidential and parliamentary ballots. However, the general picture is still far from positive.

Governance, Election Management, Democracy Assistance, Financial Disclosure, Political Finance

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

Philippines COP Presents on Electoral Management Organizations

April 15, 2010

On April 13, 2010, Beverly Hagerdon Thakur, IFES Chief of Party in the Philippines, delivered a presentation on electoral management organizations at the Ateneo de Manila University in Quezon City.

Elections, Election Management, Electoral Systems, Political Finance, Political Parties

Use of Administrative Resources for Election Campaign in Georgia - 1st Report

March 29, 2010

There has been an unprecedented increase in the funding allocated to local government entities in Georgia’s state budget ahead of the 2010 local elections. The total transfers to local government bodies in the state budget exceed the previous year’s figure by 34%. At the same time, there has been a considerable increase in the number of employees in the Tbilisi Mayor’s Office and in the regional administrative bodies. The resulting growth of salary funds is at odds with President Saakashvili’s policy of reducing bureaucracy costs. Those who oppose this approach have suggested that state money is being used to employ the people who are to participate in the ruling party’s election campaign.

Governance, Election Management, Democracy Assistance, Financial Disclosure, Political Finance

Working for Increased Transparency in the Role of Money in Politics

March 22, 2010

People do not trust political parties. World Value Survey asked people in 54 countries if they have confidence in political parties (2004-2007), the percentage that answered "not very much" or "not at all" was 73%. There are few indications that this is decreasing.

Political Finance, Political Parties, Public Opinion, Civil Society, Public Funding

Focus on Lebanon | Control of Financial Assets Topic Brief

February 18, 2010

This topic brief presents key findings about asset control based on data from the 2009 SWMENA survey in Lebanon. It includes an analysis of women’s control over assets, focusing on how earnings are spent, financial decision making and control over personal property and financial savings.

Gender Issues, Public Funding, Political Finance, Financial Disclosure

Global Practices in Campaign Finance-an Excerpt from IFES' New Book

November 23, 2009

On November 19, 2009, IFES released Political Finance Regulation: The Global Experience, edited by Magnus Ohman and Hani Zainulbhai. The book offers insight into how the often-muddy intersection between money and politics can be regulated, taking into account the experiences of various countries around the world.

Political Finance, Financial Disclosure, Public Funding

IFES Participates in Highly-Anticipated UN Conference Against Corruption

November 23, 2009

The 3rd session of the UN Conference of the State Parties took place in Doha, Qatar from November 9 – 13, 2009.

Governance, Political Parties, Political Finance, Election Law

Political Finance Regulation: The Global Experience

November 19, 2009

Political Finance Regulation: The Global Experience offers insight into how the often-muddy intersection between money and politics can be regulated, taking into account the experiences of various countries around the world. The concept for the book arose from the two-plus years of IFES’ work on a United Nations Democracy Fund project aimed at establishing global standards for political finance.

Political Finance, Financial Disclosure, Public Funding

IFES Releases Innovative Book on Political Finance Regulation throughout the World

November 19, 2009

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) has released Political Finance Regulation: The Global Experience, which offers insight into how the often-muddy intersection between money and politics can be regulated, taking into account the experiences of various countries around the world.

Political Finance