Electoral Law
Clear legal frameworks are essential for the protection of fundamental suffrage rights, the design and implementation of effective electoral systems, and the efficient and transparent management of elections. Drawing on international law, best practices and comparative experience, the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) works globally with local partners in the design and reform of electoral systems and the legal and regulatory frameworks that govern their implementation – ultimately promoting the effectiveness and credibility of democratic institutions and processes.
As a learning organization, IFES has an internal Knowledge Management Initiative Working Group on Electoral Integrity, Law and Anti-Corruption to help grow the research, tools and technical expertise we offer our partners worldwide.
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Vice President, Global Strategy and Technical Leadership
Director, Center for Applied Research and Learning
Senior Global Advisor, Legal
Related Content
22 Sep 2016 | Publication
This paper is intended as a guide for election practitioners who are interpreting, developing, and implementing legal and regulatory frameworks for elections, and who should understand the hierarchy...
11 Aug 2016 | Multimedia
In this public service announcement, IFES Ukraine Senior Legal Adviser Denys Kovryzhenko explains the objectives of political finance reform; good practices and international standards in regulating...
2 Aug 2016 | News and Updates
Through the “Elections: More Inclusion, Less Violence” project implemented by the Consortium for Electoral and Political Processes (CEPPS), IFES provided technical assistance to the Supreme Electoral...
15 Jul 2016 | News and Updates
On June 9, 2016, IFES was officially extended observer status before the Venice Commission’s Council for Democratic Elections, which handles all of the Commission’s work in this field. Professor...
3 Mar 2016 | News and Updates
On February 18, Uganda held general elections for President and Parliament. This post-election Q&A covers the importance of these elections, IFES’ role in supporting the electoral process,...
23 Feb 2016 | News and Updates
On February 11, 2016 the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) and the Tunisian Administrative Tribunal, with support from the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), co-...
18 Feb 2016 | Publication
On September 20, 2015, Nepal’s Constituent Assembly approved a new constitution, transitioning Nepal to a Federal Democratic Republic divided into seven provinces. IFES has developed a factsheet to...
16 Feb 2016 | News and Updates
IFES is playing an integral role in revising and expanding Tunisia's existing electoral law by providing support on electoral legislative reforms to enhance the effectiveness and credibility of...
10 Feb 2016 | Multimedia
As more African countries prepare for presidential polls in the new year, representatives from the National Democratic Institute (NDI), International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES),...
12 Jan 2016 | News and Updates
Persons with disabilities around the world encounter barriers to their political participation, and countries like Georgia are taking steps toward more inclusive policies and practices. In December...
7 Oct 2015 | News and Updates
On September 29, 2015, IFES, in collaboration with Tunisia’s Administrative Tribunal and with support from the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affair, organized a workshop on the electoral...
8 Jul 2015 | News and Updates
At conference hosted by Brazil's Superior Electoral Court, IFES Senior Political Finance Adviser Magnus Ohman discussed the different ways public funding is regulated and implemented...
7 May 2015 | News and Updates
The General Election Network for Disability Access in Southeast Asia (AGENDA) conducted monitoring activities during Indonesia’s 2014 presidential election to evaluate the accessibility of the...
22 Apr 2015 | Multimedia
Join IFES and DI for a launch event with a panel discussion on the 2014 election and its aftermath, important standards for election audits, and the future of elections in Afghanistan.
22 Apr 2015 | News and Updates
In April 2015, the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) released a report assessing the legal framework of campaign finance mechanisms for the 2014 legislative and presidential...
22 Apr 2015 | News and Updates
Elections rarely conclude on Election Day. Although the first round of voting in the 2014 presidential election in Afghanistan was held on April 5, 2014, the new President was not announced until...
21 Apr 2015 | News and Updates
The International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) and Democracy International (DI) have released a new joint white paper that identifies best practices for election audits in developing...
20 Apr 2015 | Publication
The International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) and Democracy International (DI) have released a new joint white paper that identifies best practices for election audits in developing...
16 Apr 2015 | News and Updates
In order to better understand electoral violence, this article offers highlights from a forthcoming study that aims to shed some light on measures taken by stakeholders around the world to ensure...
15 Apr 2015 | News and Updates
On December 21, 2014, Tunisian citizens cast their ballots in the second round of the presidential elections; the third and final election of the 2014 electoral period. The first election was held on...
31 Mar 2015 | News and Updates
On March 28, Nigerians went to the polls and voted decisively for change. Opposition candidate Muhammadu Buhari won approximately 52 percent of the vote to defeat incumbent President Goodluck...
15 Jan 2015 | News and Updates
Elections, as well as the issues and debates of electoral campaigns, provide insight into the responsiveness and resiliency of political systems and offer a convenient measure of the practice of...
17 Nov 2014 | Publication
IFES conducted the first systematic nationwide survey of its kind in the Maldives. The survey was conducted to measure the prevalence of vote buying in the Maldives during the March 2014...
17 Oct 2014 | Multimedia
For international and domestic observers of the 2014 early parliamentary elections IFES produced a video that consists of six separate chapters that cover issues such as the rights and...
23 Sep 2014 | Publication
The full participation of women and men in a country's political and decision-making processes as voters, candidates, elected officials and electoral management body (EMB) staff is crucial. Yet,...
9 Sep 2014 | News and Updates
The International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) and the Organization of American States (OAS) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on September 8 in order to further cooperation on...
13 Aug 2014 | Publication
The 2014 Hybl fellow is Megan Hauser, a Ph.D. candidate in the School of Government and Public Policy at the University of Arizona. Her research at IFES explored elections in non-democratic hybrid...
5 Aug 2014 | Publication
Throughout the world, women and men have different opportunities to participate in the political sphere. This is particularly true when it comes to participation as candidates and elected officials...
17 Jul 2014 | Publication
Burundi is one of few countries in the world to have adopted a gender quota for its legislature in an effort to promote the inclusion and participation of women in the political process. As such, it...
19 Jun 2014 | Multimedia
Since its release, IFES has been using the seven standards outlined in GUARDE in a variety of challenging contexts around the world. In this episode IFES experts discuss their experiences using...
19 Jun 2014 | News and Updates
In November 2013, the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) conducted a comprehensive electoral integrity assessment in Pakistan, in cooperation with the Election Commission of...
21 May 2014 | News and Updates
As Ukraine prepares for early presidential elections on May 25, IFES President and CEO Bill Sweeney traveled to the country. Through this feature, he shares his experiences leading up to the historic...
14 May 2014 | Publication
The International Foundation for Electoral Systems’ (IFES) briefing paper Egypt’s 2014 Presidential Election Law provides expert insight into the legal framework that governs Egypt's...
14 Mar 2014 | Multimedia
The 2013 Joe C. Baxter awardee, Dr. Jørgen Elklit, was selected because he has had a significant impact on the field of election administration and electoral integrity and transparency. In this...
19 Feb 2014 | News and Updates
Egypt’s January 2014 constitutional referendum process faced heavy scrutiny. The much-watched poll took place amid an aggressive crackdown on political dissent following the ouster of President...
16 Jan 2014 | News and Updates
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry recently described Afghanistan’s upcoming presidential and provincial council elections as “the single most important milestone over the next year. Secretary Kerry...
15 Jan 2014 | News and Updates
Upholding the right of the individual to participate freely in the political process will be critical in this year of elections and political change. The power of an individual’s voice can only be...
15 Jan 2014 | News and Updates
Upholding the right of the individual to participate freely in the political process will be critical in this year of elections and political change. The power of an individual’s voice can only be...
29 Oct 2013 | Publication
IFES' Political Finance Oversight Handbook is the product of extensive research and fieldwork by leading political finance experts and practitioners. It represents a comprehensive effort to...
11 Oct 2013 | Publication
Elections in Egypt: The Electoral Framework in Egypt’s Continuing Transition, examines Egypt’s new roadmap toward democracy, analyzing changes to the broader electoral framework in Egypt since...
10 Oct 2013 | Publication
In August 2012, IFES Senior Political Finance Adviser Magnus Ohman performed an analysis of the regulatory framework governing campaign finance in Ukraine. His report assesses the compliance of...
30 Sep 2013 | Publication
Ukraine’s current Presidential Election Law was adopted in 1999 and has been amended a number of times since then, most significantly in 2004 and 2009. Since then, it has been criticized by...
30 Sep 2013 | Publication
Financing Politics: The Middle East and North Africa is a collaborative effort between the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) and the Arab Region Parliamentarians against...
30 Jun 2013 | Publication
Following the 2010 local elections in Ukraine, observers were critical of the Law on Local Elections, which many believed facilitated irregularities in the poll. This paper reviews the Law on Local...
6 Jun 2013 | Multimedia
Credible, transparent elections are critical to ensuring the voices of all citizens are heard. Building safeguards against fraud is integral to establishing a trustworthy electoral process. In this...
5 Jun 2013 | Multimedia
Election administrators and other stakeholders in the election process have important roles to play in ensuring a credible vote. When elections are poorly planned or riddled with fraud, however, the...
21 Mar 2013 | Publication
Money in politics, or political finance, is linked to key aspects of any modern society. Management of political finance is necessary for credible and genuine elections and electoral campaigns...
16 Nov 2012 | Publication
This primer provides an overview of all aspects of the American electoral process, from how campaigns are conducted to the mechanics of the voting process.
15 Nov 2012 | Publication
This paper provides a summary of the Law on National Referendums recently passed by the Ukrainian Parliament, as well as commentary on the legislation.
16 Oct 2012 | Publication
IFES conducted a pre-election technical assessment in Ukraine which analyzed legal, technical and procedural aspects of the election process.
5 Oct 2012 | News and Updates
IFES’ 2012 Hybl Fellow Geoffrey Macdonald, a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Denver, is exploring how electoral system design and party rules incentivize ethnic groups to form political...