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IFES - Afghanistan

Afghanistan

IFES has worked in Afghanistan since 2002, supporting electoral law development, voter registration, election administration, poll worker training, capacity building, media monitoring, results reporting, elections logistics and civic education. Given its extensive experience implementing political and electoral programming in transitional environments, IFES has a keen appreciation of how political sensitivities and a fluid environment require an adaptive approach and an ability to respond rapidly as events unfold. IFES aims to build upon momentum within Afghan society to advance political and electoral processes, however incrementally, and to channel desires for change into organized, peaceful, and legitimate action.

Current Projects

Building Afghanistan's Electoral Infrastructure

Based on recommendations made by the international community and needs expressed by the IEC, IFES is undertaking a comprehensive electoral support program for Afghanistan. This program is multi-faceted, results-oriented and sustainability-focused and aims to build the capacity of the IEC so that it is capable of running elections with minimal international assistance.

Promoting Political Integrity

In December 2006, IFES completed an assessment of the role money played in Afghanistan’s 2004 presidential and 2005 general elections and examined the country’s current arrangements for political finance.

In addition to reviewing the existing legal framework, observer findings, and media reports, IFES interviewed ministers, members of the Parliament, civil society activists, scholars, media owners, and representatives of international organizations.

The result was a series of recommendations that will shape IFES’ future programming in this area. In 2007, IFES will conduct training sessions for Afghan authorities on the practical steps they can take to regulate the influence of money in the election process. A training session will also be held for journalists on ways to investigate and report on this sensitive issue.

Past Projects in Afghanistan »