Home » Newsroom » Features » 2007 Features

IFES - Features 2006

IFES Features 2007

New Year Brings Opportunity at IFES

IFES looks to 2008 as a year of tremendous growth and opportunity. With new partnerships and funding, our international experts are poised to help tens of thousands of electoral stakeholders worldwide to strengthen democratic institutions... read more » December 30, 2007

Election Basics Come Alive with BRIDGE

Professional training usually does not involve impromptu soccer matches. But there they were: adult men and women engaging in an unexpectedly brutal game in a hotel conference room in Washington, D.C. Unbeknownst to most of the players, this was no ordinary game. read more » December 29, 2007

Special Report: IFES Marks International Anti-Corruption Day

The United Nations General Assembly designated December 9 as International Anti-Corruption Day in a resolution adopted in 2003. The day is intended to raise awareness of corruption and of the role of the United Nations Convention against Corruption in combating and preventing it. read more » December 07, 2007

2007 Year in Review

2007 offered IFES a remarkable opportunity to celebrate our role in promoting democracy over the last 20 years. We are proud to be one of the international organizations that helped support millions of citizens in their struggle toward more democratic societies over the last two decades, with a record 120 democracies now in existence. read more » Scott Lansell December 01, 2007

Kenyans Prepare for Contested Elections

Kenya’s Election Commission is preparing for presidential and parliamentary elections on December 27. Some 14 million Kenyans are eligible to cast ballots in the country’s fourth national elections since the one-party system officially ended in 1991. read more » November 30, 2007

Texting Boosts Transparency in Kosovo

Thousands of young Kosovo citizens armed only with cell phones took part in a landmark observation project organized by IFES during elections November 17. read more » November 30, 2007

IFES Helps Puerto Rico Press Ahead with HAVA Reforms

In November, IFES accompanied a Puerto Rican delegation from the State Elections Commission to observe a referenda and a special election in Sarasota County, Florida, where officials unveiled a new voting machine designed to provide access for citizens with physical impairment. read more » November 29, 2007

Partner Spotlight:
Q&A with Liberia's James Fromayan

Liberia is marking two years after historic elections brought Ellen Johnson Sirleaf to power as Africa’s first democratically-elected female head of state. read more » November 01, 2007

Book Review: Democracy's Good Name

Michael Mandelbaum’s Democracy’s Good Name plots the rise of democracy as a form of government and its evolving reputation—from its beginnings as a discredited and "dangerous" form of government to its present day predominance. read more » November 01, 2007

IFES Helps Ivorians Navigate Identification Process

IFES is conducting its first civic education campaign in Côte d'Ivoire aimed at helping millions of people unable to vote or access basic services due to a lack of official documentation. read more » November 01, 2007

IFES Begins New Election Project in Yemen

IFES is beginning a new project in Yemen that seeks to tackle several important issues that emerged during the country’s 2006 elections. read more » October 31, 2007

Campaign Fuels Support for Indian Girls

In October, Indian Oil stations in Jaipur, the capital city of Rajasthan, became hotspots for information about the sensitive issue of female feticide. read more » October 30, 2007

IFES Hosts Judges from China's Top Court

For Chinese judges Lang Guimei and Du Qiang, 2007 was a summer to remember. The judges from the Supreme People's Court of China spent nine weeks in the United States as part of IFES' new Judicial Exchange Program. read more » October 03, 2007

IFES Recognizes Hamilton, Insulza with Democracy Award

IFES paid tribute to two men who have dedicated themselves to promoting democracy and human rights with the 2007 Charles T. Manatt Democracy Award. read more » October 03, 2007

IFES Chief Sees Civil Society Flourish in Guinea

Elizabeth Côté, IFES’ chief of party in Guinea, believes she is watching democratic history unfold in the West African country. After almost a quarter century of rule by President Lansana Conte, thousands of Guineans rose up earlier this year in unprecedented street protests read more » Amy White October 02, 2007

Iraqi Election Chief Visits IFES

Iraq is at a “critical juncture” and needs the support of international nongovernmental organizations that promote democracy and peace, said Faraj Merza Latif Al-Haidari, chairman of the Independent High Electoral Commission of Iraq. read more » October 02, 2007

IFES to Conduct Census of Nicaraguans with Disabilities

IFES and Nicaragua’s Supreme Electoral Council, known as the CSE, are beginning a pilot program to conduct a census of citizens with disabilities in 35 municipalities around the country. read more » October 01, 2007

Azerbaijanis Seek Solutions to Decline in Women's Participation

A delegation of Azerbaijani women’s leaders examined the reasons for the declining participation of women in the political sphere in Azerbaijan during a September 19 visit to IFES headquarters in Washington, D.C. read more » Amy White September 21, 2007

Afghanistan Considers Election System Change

Poster-sized ballots, wasted votes and a divided parliament are just a few of the problems that Afghanistan’s Independent Election Commission is trying to tackle with a new draft election law read more » September 06, 2007

Nigerians Plot Course for Better Elections

More Nigerians than expected participated in a conference focused on how to put April's flawed elections behind them and better prepare for the future read more » September 05, 2007

Ambassadors Discuss Upcoming Elections in Latin America

The U.S. ambassadors of Guatemala and Argentina recently sat down with IFES.org to discuss the upcoming elections in their countries read more » Sara Benavides September 04, 2007

Beyond Elections:
New Groups Help Congolese Advocate for Change

Parliamentarians and a newly-formed watchdog group in the Democratic Republic of Congo are promising to work together to better meet the needs of the country’s citizens read more » September 03, 2007

Sierra Leone Poised for Critical Poll

Sierra Leoneans go to the polls on Saturday for the second general elections since the end of the civil war. The election’s success in the eyes of the public may hold the balance between peace and war. read more » August 10, 2007

Sierra Leone Elections: 'Step Forward for Democracy'
Q&A with IFES Program Manager Magnus Ohman

Voters in Sierra Leone are preparing to cast ballots in the country’s first elections since 2005 when United Nations peacekeepers withdrew. The presidential and parliamentary elections on August 11 are an important test of whether the West African country is recovering from a decade of civil war. read more » July 31, 2007

Political Deadlock in East Timor

Street violence, including clashes between rampaging youths and international troops, has been linked to the political turmoil, and monitors deployed by IFES warn that more unrest may follow. read more » Doris Sidjabat July 30, 2007

U.S. Elections 2008
Poll Workers Get Boost from New Guidebook

On July 19, the United States Election Assistance Commission formally adopted the Pollworker Recruitment, Training and Retention Manual, a guide developed by IFES in cooperation with the Pollworker Institute and the League of Women Voters. The EAC plans to distribute hard copies and CDs of the manual nationwide beginning August 10. read more » Amy White July 24, 2007

ACE Launches New Regional Centers

The ACE Electoral Knowledge Network is expanding with the launch of nine new regional electoral resource centers. The centers were officially launched at an ACE workshop and training hosted by International IDEA in Stockholm July 17-20. read more » July 22, 2007

Egyptians Welcome BRIDGE Training

IFES, International IDEA and UNDP, three of the five BRIDGE partners, organized the training, in coordination with the National Council for Human Rights. Since joining BRIDGE in March, IFES has sponsored trainings in Yemen, Liberia, and now Egypt. read more » Amy White July 20, 2007

Sierra Leone's Upcoming Elections
Q&A with IFES Program Manager Magnus Ohman

Sierra Leone is weeks away from historic elections that are seen as an important test of whether the country is on its way to recovering from its brutal civil war. IFES is helping Sierra Leoneans prepare for the presidential and parliamentary elections scheduled for August 11. read more » June 28, 2007

Millions of Missing Daughters
IFES Partners Fight Sex Selection in India

India is coping with the early effects of a gender imbalance crisis, exacerbated by an rise in the number of families using sex-selective abortions in order to have male children, said Vasu Mohan, IFES’ deputy director for South Asia. This growing trend has human rights and security implications which the world’s largest democracy must take serious… read more » June 27, 2007

IFES Project Monitors Election Violence in East Timor

A new report from IFES and BELUN raises concern about the high level of election-related violence in three communities in East Timor, officially known as Timor-Leste, and urges authorities to do more to prevent such attacks. read more » June 27, 2007

BRIDGE Training Sharpens Liberia's Election Skills

IFES, the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance, known as International IDEA, and the National Elections Commission of Liberia hosted two intensive training courses for commission staff on June 11-22. The courses introduced 60 Liberian election officials to the innovative Building Resources in Democracy. read more » June 26, 2007

Manatt Democracy Fellows Examine Pressing Issues

This summer, two young researchers will join IFES to study challenges in democracy building. Sri Murniati will study the tensions between Islamic law and liberal democracy in Indonesia, and Orsolya Nagy will examine how to increase the number of young voters in Europe. read more » June 25, 2007

The Rise of Sex Selection in India

A steep decline in the number of girls (as compared to boys) in the Indian population highlights a deepening crisis in that country. This disturbing trend—which is being blamed on sex-selective abortions, the practice of killing infant girls and the neglect of female children—is being ignored by the majority of Indian citizens. read more » Dr. Meeta Singh and Vasu Mohan June 18, 2007

Armenian Elections 2007:
Q&A with Oksanna Abrahamyan

Oksanna Abrahamyan, IFES' deputy head of office in Armenia, played a major role in helping the country organize its successful elections in May. She spoke with IFES.org about the recent improvements made to her country's election system and her hopes for the future. read more » June 06, 2007

Serving Individuals Key to Vision
Q&A with IFES President Jean-Pierre Kingsley

Jean-Pierre Kingsley began his term as president of IFES in June, after serving as Canada’s Chief Electoral Officer for 17 years. He tells IFES.org about how a career in public service prepared him to lead the world’s premiere election assistance organization. read more » June 04, 2007

Kingsley Brings New Approaches, Possibilities to IFES

In June, Jean-Pierre Kingsley began serving in his new role as president of IFES. read more » June 02, 2007

Galarce Eyes Latin America's Next Democratic Step

The next stage of Latin America's democratic development involves cultivating a new generation of leaders who can address the region's root problems, said Pablo Galarce, IFES' Americas Regional Director. read more » June 01, 2007

Letter from Armenia:
IFES Marks Progress in Elections, Looks Ahead

The international community is giving Armenia its first positive marks for an election since the country gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. Over the last two years, IFES has worked intensely with several government and community entities in Armenia to help move the country closer to achieving its goal of having elections that meet i… read more » May 30, 2007

IFES Supports Historic Angolan Election Effort

IFES' experts are working closely with the National Election Commission to prepare Angola for parliamentary elections in 2008 and a presidential vote in 2009. read more » May 30, 2007

Reports: Arabs Open to Democratic Reforms despite Setbacks

Three reports written by Arab researchers indicate that democratic reform is welcomed broadly by citizens in four Arab countries, who want to see their courts, media and parliaments become more independent. read more » May 15, 2007

Philippine Election 2007
Q&A with Beverly Hagerdon-Thakur

Filipinos go to the polls today to elect congressional representatives as well as local officials. Despite recent incidents of violence, election officials are predicting high turnout. IFES.org talked with Beverly Hagerdon-Thakur, IFES' Chief of Party in the Philippines, to find out what to expect. read more » May 14, 2007

IFES, COMELEC Reach Out to Philippine Election Workers

With IFES' support, the Philippine election commission developed a new interactive training program that is helping election officials and poll workers better perform their electoral duties during the 2007 legislative elections. read more » Ian Smith May 14, 2007

IFES Summit Inspires Anti-Violence Efforts in Mindanao

IFES and its local partner, the Citizens’ Coalition for ARMM Electoral Reform, organized a summit on elections and security in Cotabato City read more » May 03, 2007

Thai Government Must Earn Back Public's Confidence

Seven months after a military coup, Thailand has released the first draft of a constitution that could lead the country back to civilian rule. However, whether the regime can successfully restore democracy depends on its ability to regain public trust. read more » May 03, 2007

Q&A With Chedomir Flego:
Armenia Faces High Stakes Elections

Armenia’s election commission is under pressure to produce credible parliamentary elections on May 12. IFES' chief of party in Yerevan spoke to IFES.org about the changes he sees taking place in Armenia's election system. read more » May 02, 2007

ARC Joins Network for Democracy Research Institutes

IFES' F. Clifton White 'Applied Research Center for Democracy and Elections', or ARC, is the newest member of the Network for Democracy Research Institutes read more » May 02, 2007

From the Field
Nigerian Elections: What Went Wrong?

Both the Nigerian people and the international community expected more of these elections, which will now see the first civilian-to-civilian transition of power in Nigeria's history occur under a cloud of suspicion and litigation. IFES' Africa Deputy Director Nathan Van Dusen reports from Abuja. read more » Nathan Van Dusen May 02, 2007

Election Officials Find Common Ground at GEO Conference

Delegates at the fourth Global Electoral Organization Conference forged partnerships and found common ground with colleagues from six continents as they shared ideas about how to ensure that elections are free and fair. read more » April 03, 2007

A Day in the Life of GEO: Wednesday, March 28

On the second day of the GEO conference, election officials discussed topics ranging from election dispute resolution to professional networking to the role of money in politics. read more » April 02, 2007

IFES Launches New Book at GEO Conference

At GEO, IFES President Richard Soudriette and former IFES Vice President of Programs Juliana Geran Pilon signed copies of their new book, Every Vote Counts: The Role of Elections in Building Democracy. The book, co-edited by Soudriette and Pilon, argues that international assistance aimed at gradually enabling domestic institutions to mount … read more » April 02, 2007

Vendors Make Valuable Connections at GEO

The GEO Conference gave vendors much more than just the chance to make a quick sale. read more » April 01, 2007

Election Officials "Make Every Vote Count"

The fourth Global Electoral Organization Conference (GEO) opened March 27th in Washington, bringing together more than 200 of the world’s top election officials and democracy advocates. read more » March 27, 2007

Q&A with IFES' Chief of Party Richard John:
Election Commission "Central" to Iraq's Democratic Future

IFES has been working with the Independent Electoral Commission of Iraq (IECI) since 2003 and offered the IECI technical assistance during Iraq's inaugural cycle of elections in 2005. IFES.org sat down with IFES' Chief of Party in Iraq, Richard John, for an update on IFES' activities there. read more » March 03, 2007

Celebrating International Women's Day:
IFES' Partners Work with Community Leaders in India to End Female Feticide

Sikh community leaders are battling the practice of female feticide that has left their community with the lowest ratio of girl to boy children in India. read more » March 01, 2007

After the Tsunami:
Sri Lanka Modernizes its Voter Registry

After 2004’s devastating tsunami destroyed large numbers of Sri Lanka’s electoral records, IFES began working with the country’s Department of Elections to computerize its voter registry. read more » March 01, 2007

A Viewer's Guide to Political Debates

Voters typically identify candidate debates as the most influential source of information received during a campaign. Because of their importance, this guide gives suggestion for getting the most out of a debate. Focus your attention on a few key points. Know what it is you want in an office holder, than watch and listen to see which candidate b… read more » March 01, 2007

Improving Access for Voters with Disabilities in Nicaragua

Some 10 percent of Nicaragua's population live with disabilities. IFES and its partners recently implemented a program to make it easier for them to exercise their right to vote. read more » March 01, 2007

Sikh Wedding Celebrates Daughters

Last November, the town of Sri Ganganagar wore a festive look with banners hung all over the city. The drivers of cycle rickshaws hollered invitations to the town’s citizens to attend a mass wedding to be solemnized that morning. read more » February 28, 2007

Interview with Ms. Kuldeep Kaur, Woman Community Leader, Sikh Community, Jaipur

Sardarni Kuldeep Kaur was interviewed by Dr. Meeta Singh, who heads IFES’ Dignity of the Girl Child program in Rajasthan, India. Kuldeep Kaur is 72 years young and has been working tirelessly with her community to stop sex selective abortions. read more » Dr. Meeta Singh February 28, 2007

Guinean Civil Society, Unions Prompt Political Change

Guinea's recent civil unrest appears to have resolved peacefully and in a victory for the labor unions and civil society. read more » Elizabeth Côté February 28, 2007

Guinea's New Prime Minister Named; Strikes End

Elizabeth Côté, IFES’ chief of party in Guinea, spoke with IFES.org on Monday, February 26, about the political crisis in Guinea. read more » February 27, 2007

Guinea Lawmakers End State of Emergency

Elizabeth Côté, IFES’ chief of party in Conakry, spoke with IFES.org on Friday, February 23, about the political crisis in Guinea. read more » February 23, 2007

Guinea's National Assembly Calls Special Meeting

Elizabeth Côté, IFES’ chief of party in Conakry, spoke with IFES.org on Thursday, February 21, about the latest on the anti-government protests and state of emergency in Guinea. read more » February 22, 2007

Guinea Unions Insist on New Prime Minister

Elizabeth Côté, IFES’ chief of party in Conakry, spoke with IFES.org on Wednesday, February 21, about the latest on the anti-government protests and state of emergency in Guinea. read more » February 21, 2007

Field Notebook:
IFES Prepares Kosovo to Manage Elections

IFES program associate Josipa Bicanic contemplates the challenges and possibilities in Kosovo’s future. read more » Josipa Bicanic February 20, 2007

Talks Stalemate, Curfew Eased in Guinea

Elizabeth Côté, IFES’ chief of party in Conakry, spoke with IFES.org on Monday, February 19, about the latest on the anti-government protests and state of emergency in Guinea read more » February 19, 2007

Guineans Struggle to Meet Basic Needs as Government Schedules New Talks

Elizabeth Côté, IFES' chief of party in Conakry, spoke with IFES.org on Thursday, February 15, about the latest on the anti-government protests and state of emergency in Guinea. read more » February 16, 2007

Government Offers Talks to End Unrest

IFES Chief of Party Elizabeth Côté is in Guinea where anti-government demonstrations flared up on February 9. Côté will file regular field reports on the situation in Conakry as it develops for IFES.org. read more » February 15, 2007

Roots of Guinea Unrest

IFES Chief of Party Elizabeth Côté is in Guinea where anti-government demonstrations flared up on February 9. Côté will file regular field reports on the situation in Conakry as it develops for IFES.org. read more » February 14, 2007

IFES, UNEAD Identify Opportunities, Challenges

IFES hosted Craig Jenness, director of the United Nations Electoral Assistance Division, to discuss how the UN and democracy development organizations can cooperate more closely in providing more effective assistance to transitional and post-conflict countries read more » February 02, 2007

"Following the Money" - How the Media Can Strengthen Government Integrity in Malawi

As the sun dips toward the horizon, journalist Augustine Mulomole starts to realize he has been stood up. With his deadline approaching, I encourage him to call the elusive spokeswoman for the water board read more » Suzanne Marmion February 01, 2007

Counting Costs on the Philippine Campaign Trail

Several Philippine nongovernmental organizations are working on a new project with IFES aimed at giving Filipino citizens the tools they need to challenge corruption in their electoral system. read more » February 01, 2007

Canada's Outgoing Elections Chief to Head IFES

The IFES Board of Directors named Jean-Pierre Kingsley, outgoing Chief Electoral Officer of Canada, as its new President and Chief Executive Officer on Wednesday read more » February 01, 2007

Arabs Speak Out about Democracy in New Reports

Two new reports reveal that an overwhelming majority of Arab citizens in four diverse countries support democratic reform read more » January 30, 2007

Raising the Bar:
IFES Chief Puts Law Into Practice in Azerbaijan

IFES' Dan Blessington advises Azerbaijan's Central Election Commission and is one of the key players in an international effort to update the country's election code before next year's presidential vote. read more » January 29, 2007

Q&A with IFES Program Manager Magnus Ohman
"Crucial" Elections Ahead for Sierra Leone

Program Manager Magnus Ohman speaks about his election work in Sierra Leone. read more » January 19, 2007

IFES at 20: Beyond the Ballot Box

Laura Ingalls writes about IFES' work in civil society, rule of law, and governance. read more » Laura Ingalls January 05, 2007

Research Chief Reflects on a Decade of Growth and Innovation

Rakesh Sharma reflects on a decade of survey work and looks toward a busy 2007 for IFES' Applied Research Center. read more » Barbara E. Martinez January 05, 2007

Africa Sees Progress, Political Impasse in 2006

Africa director Chris Hennemeyer discusses the past year's democratic developments in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria, and Cote d’Ivoire. read more » Chris Hennemeyer January 05, 2007