Between Breakdown and the Ballot

Interim governments present both high-risk environments and rare windows of opportunity. Decisions taken during these short transition periods – particularly regarding electoral rules, institutional design, and political inclusion – can either pave the way for credible elections and democratic consolidation or entrench instability and future conflict. Drawing from IFES’ extensive experience working with transitional authorities and institutions around the world, this paper extracts lessons and recommendations for successful transitions. Rather than looking at broad governance and macro-socioeconomic indicators, the paper focuses on discrete, smaller-scale successes – specific approaches, tactics, reforms, and changes perceived as having had a positive impact in enhancing the legitimacy of a transitional government and leading to successful transitional elections and democratic political processes.

IFES is proud to publish this new paper, which draws on literature from practitioners and academic sources and incorporates original insights from programs conducted by IFES and other international assistance organizations supporting interim government institutions, election management bodies (EMBs), and other local partners during post-conflict or post-crisis transitions.