Multimedia

Russia's Democratic Awakening

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 15:15:00 -0800

Irina Zaslavskaya, a native of St. Petersburg who facilitated IFES’ first interaction with Russia’s election commission, talks to us about helping empower the first post-Soviet election management bodies and the yearning for dignity before one’s government.

2011 Joe C. Baxter Award Winner on Democracy in Latin America

Thu, 29 Dec 2011 13:06:00 -0800

Delia Ferreira Rubio, winner of the 2011 Joe C. Baxter Award, is an internationally recognized expert in political finance and an advocate for transparency in government. She answers a few questions on transparency and accountability in the Americas.

Snap Elections and Kazakhstani Democracy

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 15:22:00 -0800

Kazakhstan will hold snap parliamentary elections on January 15, 2012. Anthony Bowyer, IFES program manager for the Caucasus and Central Asia, tells us how this will affect the parties running in the election and what it really means for democracy in the country.

Elections Worth Dying For? Maintaining the Peace During Elections in Africa

Fri, 09 Dec 2011 06:26:00 -0800

Used as a political tool before, during and after elections, violence threatens the franchise and civil rights of all citizens.

After the Arab Spring: Challenges for Credible Elections

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 07:02:00 -0800

As citizens of the Middle East and North Africa demand democratic reform through the ballot, it is important to understand the steps that must be taken to conduct elections that reflect the will of the people.

ICC's Investigation into Post-Election Violence in Cote d'Ivoire

Mon, 31 Oct 2011 09:34:00 -0700

Earlier this month, the International Criminal Court authorized an investigation into the alleged abuses committed following the November 2010 presidential election in Côte d'Ivoire. Almami Cyllah, Regional Director for Africa, tells us how this investigation might impact Côte d'Ivoire and the rest of Africa

Kyrgyzstan's Upcoming Election

Fri, 30 Sep 2011 09:25:00 -0700

Anthony Bowyer, IFES Program Manager for the Caucasus and Central Asia, tells us why all eyes are once again on Kyrgyzstan as it heads toward general elections on October 30.

IFES 2011 Democracy Awards Dinner

Thu, 29 Sep 2011 06:33:00 -0700

IFES' 2011 Democracy Awards Dinner was held on 15 September in Washington, D.C. The event was attended by current and former members of Congress, foreign dignitaries and international development professionals.

Democracy: A Tribute to Charles T. Manatt

Mon, 19 Sep 2011 09:55:00 -0700

Charles T. Manatt (1936-2011), Chairman of IFES’ Board of Directors from 1993 to 1999 and Chairman Emeritus thereafter, was an early supporter of the democracy building movement and instrumental in the establishment of the organization.

2011 IFES Democracy Awards Dinner -- Judge Johann Kriegler

Thu, 15 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0700

Judge Johann Kriegler of South Africa accepts the 2011 Charles T. Manatt Democracy Award from IFES on Sept. 15.

2011 IFES Democracy Awards Dinner -- Sen. Patrick Leahy

Thu, 15 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0700

Sen. Patrick Leahy of Vermont accepts the 2011 Charles T. Manatt Democracy Award from IFES on Sept. 15.

Stepping Stones for Democracy

Wed, 14 Sep 2011 18:48:00 -0700

Democracy benefits day to day life in many ways. Among others, it promotes equality, freedom of expression, and entrepreneurship. Watch this video to learn more about why democracy matters and what you can do to champion it.

Democracy in Russia: Inching Toward Progress?

Wed, 31 Aug 2011 10:53:00 -0700

On the 20th anniversary of the failed coup in Russia, Irina Zaslavskaya, Program Officer in IFES’s Europe and Asia division and a native of St. Petersburg, shares her thoughts with us.

South Sudan's Journey to Independence

Sun, 31 Jul 2011 08:02:00 -0700

South Sudan joyously celebrated its independence from Sudan on July 9.

Assessing Pakistan’s Founding Promise

Fri, 22 Jul 2011 12:04:00 -0700

Washington Post Foreign Correspondent Pamela Constable and IFES President and CEO Bill Sweeney talk about Constable’s new book on Pakistan and where the country stands on its mission to be a Muslim democracy.

Road to Reform in the Middle East and North Africa

Thu, 14 Jul 2011 07:58:00 -0700

Sparked by Tunisia’s recent uprising, waves of protest for democratic change have spread throughout the Middle East and North Africa.

Please join the Transatlantic Policy Network and IFES for a discussion on these topics and others related to the Arab Spring.

A Conversation with General Lamine Cissé

Thu, 23 Jun 2011 05:20:00 -0700

As Africa continues to move away from military and dictatorial rule, also known as “the strong man syndrome,” electoral competition in the various African countries will continue to present serious challenges, including violence.

Albania’s Momentous Mayoral Election

Wed, 22 Jun 2011 08:02:00 -0700

The mayoral race for the city of Tirana is one of the most important electoral races in Albania. In addition to serving as chief executive of the largest city in the country, the mayor also wields significant influence over national affairs.

What Made Nigeria’s 2011 Elections So Effective

Mon, 06 Jun 2011 12:24:00 -0700

This past April, Nigeria received accolades from national and international observers for the implementation of its national elections.

Dirty Money in Politics: How El Padrino’s Contributions Affect Security in Latin America

Fri, 03 Jun 2011 07:42:00 -0700

Lack of security is one of the most serious problems facing Latin America. Experts and pundits have assessed the issue and recommended many ways of improving safety in the region.

Haiti’s Much Improved Second Round of Elections

Mon, 04 Apr 2011 10:16:00 -0700

On March 20, Haiti held the second round of presidential and legislative elections following the close and controversial first-round presidential vote in November. As part of its technical assistance to the CEP, and in close cooperation with other partners, IFES organized a public information campaign, called “Where to Vote”, which reminded voters to check their registration information, confirm the location of their polling station and cast their ballots on Election Day.

Panel on Iran's Electoral System

Thu, 31 Mar 2011 11:22:00 -0700

On March 30, IFES released Duality by Design: The Iranian Electoral System, a comprehensive overview of elections in Iran. The author, an elections scholar, and an Iran expert participated on a panel discussion that built on the publication’s findings.

Popular Protests Might Pave Way for Women’s Rights in Yemen

Tue, 08 Mar 2011 06:14:00 -0800

The protests that have swept across the Middle East and North Africa are creating an opening for political dialogue, which could potentially benefit women by resulting in reforms that increase gender equality.

Elections Do Not Make a Democracy

Wed, 02 Mar 2011 10:09:00 -0800

Over the past 25 years, we have seen an increase in the number of countries holding elections. Going through the exercise, however, does not mean the will of the people is being reflected or that countries are establishing democratic processes.

Kazakh Leader Comes Closer to becoming 'President for Life'

Wed, 26 Jan 2011 08:26:00 -0800

Fresh off completing its year as Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE)'s 'Chair-In-Office', Kazakhstan’s two-chamber parliament recently approved a referendum for a general vote on changing the constitution to allow President Nazarbayev to serve another nine years. The referendum, which would cancel the next presidential election scheduled for 2012, was started by a forum of 900 people in the eastern city of Ust-Kamenogorsk.

Ruling of the Palestinian High Court on Cancelling Elections in the Territories

Wed, 22 Dec 2010 06:39:00 -0800

On December 13, 2010, the Palestinian High Court issued its final verdict on the lawsuits challenging the Council of Ministers (Cabinet) of the Palestinian Authority decision to cancel the local elections scheduled for July 17, 2010. The Court ruled that once the cabinet calls for elections, it does not have authority to cancel them.

Kyrgyzstan's Democratic Experiment

Wed, 17 Nov 2010 11:29:00 -0800

On June 27, 2010 Kyrgyzstan adopted a new constitution via nationwide referendum. Introducing a new or revised governing charter was nothing new for the Central Asian republic—they have seen many since their independence in 1991. This new constitution, however, ushered in a new era for the country as it established a parliamentary system that would allow power to be decentralized and shared among different political parties.

Guinea Pushes Towards the Runoff of its First Accepted Election

Fri, 22 Oct 2010 09:06:00 -0700

Elizabeth Cote, IFES chief of party in Guinea, speaks to us from Conakry about the latest developments in the preparation for the runoff, the difficulties that have been experienced in regards to these elections, and the overall mood in Guinea.

Unprecedented Steps to Address Kenya's 2007-08 Election Violence

Wed, 13 Oct 2010 13:28:00 -0700

In this podcast, Lisa Kammerud, IFES research officer specializing in election violence monitoring, tells us what these developments mean for Kenya and the prosecution of electoral violence in general.

Transition and Trepidation: Public Opinion in Ukraine Slideshow

Wed, 13 Oct 2010 05:42:00 -0700

IFES has released its 18th national survey on Ukrainian political attitudes. The latest survey sheds light into what Ukrainians think about the overall state of the country. It also reveals what the population thinks about President Yanukovych's administration, especially when it comes to the economy, corruption, civil liberties, and foreign affairs.

Giving Voice to the Vote

Mon, 04 Oct 2010 11:36:00 -0700

Having a say in the way we are governed is a human right, yet for many around the world there are many obstacles to exercising this right. IFES is dedicated to helping societies transcend the barriers to complete enfranchisement, which include election violence and discrimination against minorities. This short audio slideshow highlights some of the struggles developing and developed democracies face and what IFES is doing to help.

Preventing Election Fraud

Mon, 27 Sep 2010 07:56:00 -0700

Staffan Darnolf, IFES senior election advisor, talks to us about the consuming effect of election fraud and the steps that can be taken to prevent it.

The Role of the International Community in Deterring Fraud

Mon, 27 Sep 2010 07:56:00 -0700

This podcast, the third in a series of three, features Alan Wall, IFES chief of party in Nepal. Mr. Wall shares insight into what the international community can do to deter fraud.

Defining and Prosecuting Election Fraud

Sun, 26 Sep 2010 07:56:00 -0700

In this podcast, the first in a series of three podcasts on election fraud, Rafael Lopez-Pintor, tells us what election fraud is and how it can be prosecuted in legal courts.

IFES President and CEO On Technology in Elections

Sun, 22 Aug 2010 09:20:00 -0700

In August, the Instituto Federal Electoral (IFE), the Mexican elections commission, hosted a four-day conference to explore key electoral topics, including challenges in the administration and organization of elections; political and media rights in elections; and access to electoral justice. The conference brought together election experts, practitioners and academics from all over the world as well as government officials. The event took place in Morelia, Mexico.

An Introduction to IFES

Wed, 04 Aug 2010 09:20:00 -0700

In this two-minute video, Bill Sweeney, IFES president and CEO, gives a quick overview of IFES and the work we do. He talks about our experts, how we partner with local election management bodies and always strive to build local capacity, and about two of our principle objectives in every election we work in.

A Couple Voting Together in the Moldovan Election

Sat, 24 Jul 2010 08:00:00 -0700

An instructional video showing a couple voting together in the Moldovan election.

Sealing the Ballot Box for the Moldovan Election

Sat, 24 Jul 2010 08:00:00 -0700

An instructional video demonstrating the sealing the ballot box for the Moldovan election.

Unsealing the Ballot Box for the Moldovan Election

Sat, 24 Jul 2010 08:00:00 -0700

An instructional video demonstrating the unsealing of a ballot box for the Moldovan election.

Iyo Menya "If Only I Had Known"

Thu, 22 Apr 2010 07:06:00 -0700

Starting at the end of May and through early September, Burundi will hold its first set of elections since all rebel movements laid down their arms and officially ended Burundi’s long civil war. “If Only I Had Known,” (“Iyo Menya”) produced by New Generation and IFES, with the support of USAID and the Studio RAM recounts the firsthand stories of former youth combatants of Burundi’s long civil war.

Democratic Rights of Disabled Persons in Indonesia

Fri, 16 Apr 2010 07:13:00 -0700

In Indonesia there are some people who should strive to obtain their rights, for example people with disabilities. The right to choose is the right of every human being. Although people with disabilities have the right to vote they dont always have political access.

Democracy and Election in Africa: Almami Cyllah's Testimony to Congress

Tue, 30 Mar 2010 00:00:00 -0700

On Wednesday, March 24, 2010, Almami Cyllah, IFES regional director for Africa, testified before the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health on democracy in the African continent. Mr. Cyllah gave an overview of Africa's history with elections and how democracy fits into the continent's overall advancement. He also gave a number of important recommendations for how the United States and the international community can help Africa prosper by strengthening its democratic institutions. Read the Full Testimony »

Iraq OCV 2010 PSA: How to Mark the Ballot Paper (Kurdish)

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 12:13:00 -0800

This PSA is one in a series produced and paid for by the Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) to promote Out of Country Voting for Iraq's 2010 parliamentary elections. This PSA instructs how to properly mark the ballot paper.

Iraq OCV 2010 PSA: How to Mark the Ballot Paper (Arabic)

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 12:13:00 -0800

Iraq OCV 2010 PSA: Required Documents to Prove Eligibility (Arabic)

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 12:13:00 -0800

Iraq OCV 2010 PSA: Required Documents to Prove Eligibility (Kurdish)

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 12:13:00 -0800

Ministry of Interior Municipalities - IFES Informative TVC

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 10:10:00 -0800

The Lebanese Ministry of Interior & Municipalities 2010 Municipality elections awareness campaign to inform voters of their responsibility to verify their data on the voter register between February 10 and March 10, 2010.

Ministry of Interior Municipalities - IFES Mother TVC

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 10:10:00 -0800

Ministry of Interior Municipalities - IFES Sisters

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 10:10:00 -0800

Ministry of Interior Municipalities - IFES Voiceless

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 10:10:00 -0800