IFES Philippine Project Officer is Honored with Award

July 19, 2010

On July 19, 2010, the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), led by Director Rosendo Dial, presented a Plaque of Appreciation to May Gladys Butoy, IFES Philippines’ Project Officer for the Vulnerable Sector Project funded by the British Foreign Commonwealth Office (FCO), for her contributions to “the realization of the exercise of the right to suffrage of inmates nationwide, which was carved in the annals of Philippine history during the May 2010 national and local elections.”

Civil Society, Democracy Assistance, Post-conflict, Rule of Law

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

Electoral Complaints Adjudication in the Philippines

April 27, 2010

Transcript of Podcast with Minnesota Supreme Court Justice Paul Anderson and election lawyer and recount expert John “Jack” Harding Young discussing their experience working in the Philippines with IFES and the American Bar Association on the area of Electoral Complaints Adjudication in the Philippines.

Voting Technology, Election Disputes, Election Law, Election Ballots, Legal Framework

IFES Signs Memorandum with Moldova's Election Commission

April 22, 2010

On April 22, 2010, IFES signed a Memorandum of Cooperation with the Central Election Commission (CEC) of Moldova.

Voter Registration, Electoral Systems, Election Procedures, Election Management, Civic Education

IFES Program Manager for the Caucasus and Central Asia Comments on Kyrgyzstan

April 13, 2010

The protests that began to shake Kyrgyzstan on the week of April 5 have left the country in a nebulous situation that could result in a new constitution and leadership. Anthony C. Bowyer, program manager for the Caucasus & Central Asia IFES, comments.

Elections, Constitutional Law, Governance, Election Law, Rule of Law

IFES Presents Two Studies on Guinea's Transition to Democracy

April 07, 2010

In its continuous effort to facilitate the transition from military rule to rule-of-law in Guinea, IFES prepared two studies that were officially presented to the Prime Minister and the National Transition Council.

Governance, Rule of Law, Election Law, Legal Framework

IFES Regional Director for Africa Comments on Nigeria's Electoral Reforms

March 30, 2010

Almami Cyllah, IFES regional director for Africa, comments on the electoral reforms approved by Nigeria's Senate on March 25, 2010.

Elections, Rule of Law, Election Procedures, Electoral Systems

Coming Full Circle . . . Return to Armenia, 12 Years Later

March 22, 2010

There are people who work in international development that develop a great affinity for the country in which they work, and stay for a number of years. There are other people, for whom living and working in another country is something they rotate like clockwork.

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

The Kenya Case and the Role of the ICC in Election Violence

January 27, 2010

While democratic elections are the cornerstone of a system of governance that best protects the right of the individual to self-determination, elections are not always without problems. In the absence of certain legal frameworks, such as a strong rule of law or an effective complaints adjudication system, factors like existing socio-economic cleavages or ongoing political skirmishes can lead to violence during the election process.

Legal Framework, Rule of Law, Election Disputes, Governance, Elections

Post-Election Public Opinion in Kosovo 2010: Findings from an IFES January 2010 Survey

January 2010

The data collected after Kosovo’s first elections since declaring independence offer a unique snapshot of a young country optimistic, yet continuing to struggle with economic issues and divisions between ethnic groups. The 2009 municipal and mayoral elections were widely seen as well organized, free and fair, and voters report proper procedures taking place in polling stations. Still confidence in the power of the vote, while still fairly high, dropped between the 2007 and 2009 elections.

Public Opinion, Governance, Civil Society, Elections, Political Parties