IFES Senior Advisor Presents Paper on Effect of International Assistance on Elections

February 25, 2011

Staffan Darnolf, IFES senior advisor, presented a paper on the impact of the international community on elections at the International Political Science Association (IPSA) biannual conference in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Elections, Election Observation, Electoral Systems, Democracy Assistance

IFES Experts Meet with Election Academics at IPSA Conference

February 24, 2011

Four IFES experts presented papers on different aspects of the electoral cycle at the International Political Science Association biannual conference held in Sao Paulo, Brazil, in mid-February. The four-day conference provided the IFES participants the opportunity to meet with academics studying topics in IFES’ field of work, exchange thoughts on elections and democracy, and establish ties for future academic research projects.

Electoral Systems, Political Finance, Election Disputes, Civil Society, Elections

ARC Director Presents IFES Electoral Fraud Paper at IPSA Conference

February 23, 2011

Rakesh Sharma, director of IFES' Applied Research Center (ARC), presented Dr. Rafael Lopez-Pintor's paper “Assessing Electoral Fraud in New Democracies: A Basic Conceptual Framework” at the International Political Science Association (IPSA) biannual conference in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Electoral Systems, Democracy Assistance, Elections, Civil Society

Traffic Jams, Language Barriers are No Match for Sao Paolo’s Spirit

February 23, 2011

Within moments of arriving in Sao Paulo, Brazil, I was taken by the happy, easy-going nature of the Paulistanos. Being from Mexico City, another of the world’s largest cities, I am very familiar with a population that retains a kind, joyful disposition despite the noise, pollution and complications of a megalopolis.

Elections, Electoral Systems

IFES Expert Discusses International Trends in Political Finance at IPSA Conference

February 22, 2011

Dr. Magnus Ohman, IFES political finance expert, presented his paper "Analyzing Recent Trends in Political Finance Regulation in the South and in the North" at the biannual International Political Science Association (IPSA) conference in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Political Finance, Public Funding, Electoral Systems, Political Parties

Regional Director for Europe and Asia Presents Paper at IPSA Conference

February 17, 2011

Chad Vickery, IFES regional director for Europe and Asia, presented his paper "A Practitioner’s Guide to Understanding, Adjudicating, and Resolving Election Disputes" at one of the first panels at the International Political Science Association (IPSA) biannual conference in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Election Disputes, Electoral Systems, Civil Society

Four IFES Experts Present Papers at IPSA Conference

February 14, 2011

IFES will be presenting four papers on the electoral process at this year’s International Political Science Association (IPSA) biannual conference Whatever Happened to North-South? Held in Sao Paulo, Brazil from February 16-19, 2011, the conference is expected to host hundreds of scholars and practitioners across the field of political science and provide attendants the opportunity to discuss current political issues across the world.

Election Disputes, Election Observation, Electoral Systems, Elections, Political Finance

Understanding, Adjudicating, and Resolving Election Disputes

February 14, 2011

Throughout the past two decades, IFES has been dedicated to providing technical elections assistance throughout the world.  During this time, it has become clear that Lady Justice Wood is correct in her assertion: an effective resolution of complaints is integral to guaranteeing the integrity and legitimacy of an electoral system.

Election Disputes, Electoral Systems, Election Procedures, Elections

Global Trends in The Regulation of Political Finance

February 14, 2011

This paper deals with the role of money in politics, and in particular with certain efforts by countries around the world to regulate this role. In the current world (and probably since we first started organising ourselves politically), money in politics or political finance as we commonly know it is a central aspect of any political system, whether democratic or undemocratic, "developed" or "developing" and regardless of political culture or tradition.

Political Finance, Electoral Systems, Public Funding, Political Parties

Assessing Electoral Fraud in New Democracies: A Basic Conceptual Framework

February 14, 2011

The author wishes to express acknowledgement and gratitude to his IFES colleagues who provided considerable time and insight in reviewing and editing drafts of this paper, especially to Chad Vickery, Jeremy Hunt, Myron McClees, Erica Shein, Brooks Braun, Kristin Nicholson, Meredith Applegate and Mustafa Rizvi.

Electoral Systems, Democracy Assistance, Elections, Civil Society