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

A Review of Burundi’s Legislative Elections

July 29, 2010

Burundi legislative elections were held as scheduled on July 23, 2010 and were the third of a series of five polls to take place in the country from May to September 2010. Seven political parties and two independents took part in the July 23 poll in which Burundians were called to elect 100 representatives.

Elections, Electoral Systems, Political Parties, Post-conflict

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

Understanding the Proposed Kyrgyz Parliament

May 15, 2010

On April 26, 2010, the Interim Government of Kyrgyzstan, which took control of the country following early April protests that drove former president Kurmanbek Bakiyev from office, unveiled a new draft constitution that will be finalized and officially presented on May 20. A referendum will take place in June 27 in which the population will be able to vote “yes” or “no” in favor of adopting this new charter.

Constitutional Law, Electoral Systems, Legal Framework, Governance, Rule of Law

IFES Sponsors First-ever Live Televised Candidate Debates in Tbilisi, Georgia

May 10, 2010

In anticipation of local elections at the end of the month, IFES organized and sponsored live, televised candidate debates for the post of mayor of Tbilisi, Georgia, together with Georgian Public Broadcasting.  These debates represent a first in Georgian democracy – live debates featuring candidates running for office have never been produced before.

Public Opinion, Elections, Political Parties, Civic Education, Civil Society

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

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

Aspiring Civil Servants Quiz Vice-Presidential Candidates

March 2010

Aspiring civil servants from leading Philippine Public Administration Universities put politicians in the hot seat during a vice-presidential forum organized by the Association of Schools of Public Administration on March 15, 2010.

Civil Society, Elections, Public Opinion, Political Parties

Guinea Prepares for the June 27 Elections

March 12, 2010

Elizabeth Coté, chief of party in Guinea, comments on the recent announcement that Guinea will head to the polls in June.

Election Management, Election Procedures, Legal Framework, Voter Registration, Political Parties