Mali Electoral Transformation Program
Through the “Mali Electoral Transformation Program,” the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) is helping Mali to advance its political transition and institutionalize more inclusive, effective and democratic political governance. The program coordinates closely with initiatives focused on civil society and political parties, and works with multiple stakeholders such as the Transitional Government, the Constitutional Courts and the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Decentralization.
From 2021-23, IFES is implementing targeting activities to improve the capacity, integrity and transparency of Mali’s electoral system to hold credible elections that allow citizens to select leaders peacefully and democratically. The program also places significant emphasis on inclusion and responsiveness of electoral processes.
Key Activities
Build the capacity of Malian stakeholders to implement electoral reforms effectively, sustainably and transparently.
IFES will conduct stakeholder consultations on international and regional comparative practices to support Malian stakeholders’ in deciding on an election management body (EMB) model. IFES will also draw on the 2021 Electoral Integrity Assessment to develop and implement an Electoral Integrity Management Plan (EIMP) and support Mali’s EMB(s) to develop a comprehensive election operations plan. Finally, IFES will train election officials and poll workers on election operations.
Enhance inclusion in electoral processes for women, youth, internally displaced populations (IDPs) and other traditionally marginalized populations.
IFES will support the MATD in increasing the inclusivity and accuracy of voter lists. IFES will also work with the Malian EMB(s) to implement mechanisms for greater women’s participation in election administration and to develop a Gender and Social Inclusion Policy. Finally, IFES will work with the Malian EMB(s) to increase access to polling stations for returning IDPs, persons with disabilities and migrant workers abroad.
Increasing the transparency and inclusivity of the elections results management and election dispute resolution (EDR) process.
IFES will assist the Constitutional Court in developing tools to effectively manage the dual parallel management and appeals stream. IFES will also equip Malian EDR actors with better practices from the region, share good peer-practice options and provide widely available guidance materials.