IFES - Elections - Assist governments, political parties and CSOs in election planning and administration, electoral law development, and voter education.
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Elections Services
Emerging democracies often lack the institutional capacity and political will to manage elections or educate their citizens about democratic politics. To meet these needs, IFES provides comprehensive assistance to governments, political parties and civil society organizations in election planning and administration, electoral law development, and voter education. IFES seeks to bring transparency to elections by involving civil society in the process (in observer training, negotiations with national election commissions, etc.) and by incorporating anti-fraud mechanisms, such as political finance instruments, transparent ballot boxes, or inking voters’ fingers.
Since 1987, IFES has accumulated abundant election-related experience by offering these services in scores of countries, including numerous pre-election technical assessments, onsite technical assistance programs, poll-worker training, equipment procurements, and voter registration and education programs. Over time, we have built a cadre of more than 1,500 democracy and governance experts capable of addressing almost any election situation.
Featured Elections Projects
Following the signing of a memorandum of understanding in 2002, IFES and the SCER have focused on the following priorities for Yemen: designing a new voter registration system that includes a secure voter ID card; developing a comprehensive election training plan and a permanent training center; increasing the SCER’s capacity to communicate regularly and transparently with stakeholders in the electoral process; and assessing management training needs.
Prior to Nicaragua's 2006 elections, IFES worked with the Supreme Electoral Council and several civil society groups focused on upholding the rights of the disabled to improve access to polling stations for voters with disabilities and to encourage them to come out and exercise their political rights.
In 2006 and 2007 IFES helped develop election laws will lay the foundation for all national elections and have a profound influence on the make-up and structure of the legislature.
IFES technical assistance in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) concentrates on bringing reliable and verifiable systems, procedures and methods to the electoral process and communicates with civil society regarding democratic practices. The goal is that the results of the elections will accurately reflect the expression of the voters.
Since 2005, IFES has been working with the Central Election Commission to prepare it to manage upcoming elections. It has also been providing technical guidance as Armenia produces a new, more inclusive voter registry. In addition, IFES has been working with the CEC to educate voters about their rights and responsibilities in a democracy.
News and Materials
IFES.org Feature: Azerbaijan Presidential Elections
IFES.org Feature: Kenya Inquiry Commission Adopts IFES Recommendations
White Paper/Report: Kenya Inquiry Commission Adopts IFES Recommendations (.pdf)
IFES.org Feature: Nepal's Election Commission gets local feedback
IFES.org Feature: History Made: Angolan Legislative Elections of September 5, 2008