IFES plays a key role in assisting emerging and established democracies throughout
Asia.
Over the past decade, IFES has conducted pre-election and election technical assessments, sociological
surveys, civic and voter education initiatives, civic education projects, governance
strengthening, and technology/equipment needs in 10 countries.
IFES is integrally involved in several facets of Indonesia's transition to
democracy, and it maintains an office in Indonesia to support media strengthening,
civic and voter education, elections assistance, legislative reform, and administrative
capacity building projects. IFES has also provided electoral technical assistance
and conducted surveys in Bangladesh, Cambodia, Philippines, Thailand, India,
Mongolia, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Taiwan.
Current Projects
Asia - Regional Projects
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.
Afghanistan Home
Bangladesh
IFES began working in Bangladesh in 1997. Since that time, we have conducted a nationwide survey measuring voters’ opinions about social and political issues and have worked with Bangladesh’s Election Commission to enable them to better conduct free and fair elections. In 2006, IFES began to implement the EVER project, which aims to monitor and reduce electoral violence. IFES’ work in Bangladesh has been funded by USAID and the Asia Foundation.
Bangladesh Home
China
IFES' work in China focuses on promoting judicial transparency and independence at a critical time in the country’s development.
China Home
East Timor (Timor Leste)
IFES has worked in Timor-Leste since 2001. IFES’ initial program trained and equipped the country’s first public defenders. In the electoral sector IFES conducted assessments of the Constituent Assembly election in August 2001, the presidential election in April 2002, and election management needs in November 2002. IFES worked with the Technical Secretariat for Election Administration (STAE) from 2003-04 to help develop the voter registry for the first suco elections.
East Timor (Timor Leste) Home
India
IFES has worked in India since 2003, when it began an innovative program intended to increase Indian women's access to justice. The elements that became foci of the program were identified through consultations with stakeholders across the country.
India Home
Indonesia
Nepal
IFES has been working in Nepal since 1999. Since then its work has focused on improving voter registration, results transmission, the legal framework for elections, and the Election Commission’s overall capacity to conduct free and fair elections. IFES’ work in Nepal has been funded by USAID.
Nepal Home
Pakistan
IFES began offering technical assistance to Pakistan’s election authorities in 2002. Since then, we have advanced the democratic process through technical assistance to the election commission, training for legislators, public opinion surveys, and civic education campaigns.
Pakistan Home
Philippines
The Philippines is a functioning democracy, though popular protests have forced out two presidents in the past 15 years: first, Ferdinand Marcos in 1986 for alleged electoral manipulation and seco…
Philippines Home
Sri Lanka
IFES has been providing assistance to Sri Lanka’s Department of Elections since 2005.
Sri Lanka Home
Thailand
IFES is supporting Thailand’s return to democratic rule by helping the country prepare for elections.
Thailand Home