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Report/Paper
Ethnic Divisions and Electoral System Design: Prospects for Reform in Kenya
In "Ethnic Divisions and Electoral System Design: Prospects for Reform in Kenya", Shane McGee, IFES' 2008 William and Kathy Hybl Democracy Studies Fellow, suggests that a country with deep ethnic cleavages like Kenya would greatly benefit from shifting its electoral system from a plurality to a mixed-member system.
July 09, 2008
News & Updates
Press Release
IFES Expert Available to Discuss Kenya Crisis
Kenyans are bracing for a new round of violence this week with planned street protests by the opposition and a political showdown as parliament reconvenes.
News & Updates
Feature
Kenyas Flawed Election
Deadly riots gripped Kenya following disputed presidential elections December 27. However, voting day was relatively peaceful, with problems surfacing during the vote tallying process.
News & Updates
Press Release
IFES Experts Available to Discuss Kenya Election
The last major election of the year is shaping up to be a close one as Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki tries to defeat opposition leader Raila Odinga to secure a second term. On December 27, Kenyan voters also will elect 210 members of parliament and more than 2,000 local councilors. IFES has advised the Electoral Commission of Kenya, known as ECK...
Publication
Report/Paper
Evaluation of Communications Technology Use for Elections 2002, Kenya
This report on communications technology used in the 2002 elections in Kenya identifies problems that occurred in the election and highlights how to implement new procedures and systems which address those problems.
December 31, 2002
Publication
Report/Paper
Lithuania: Money and Politics Case Study
Lithuania has rapidly developed both politically and economically since emerging from the Soviet Union in 1991. While the country has built a functioning parliamentary system of government, has become a member of NATO, and is on the verge of joining the European Union, it still faces many problems associated with the many consolidating democracies around the world. As in all democracies, populations need to trust that those they elect will represent their interests. Problems such as corruption, weaknesses in laws concerning the political financing, and unaccounted for political income and expenditures threaten the credibility of the process and hinder the speed at which democracy is consolidated. Additionally, Lithuania lacks the high level of vibrant debate about the issue of political financing among scholars, journalists and civil society bodies required to promote meaningful reform. Recognizing this, Lithuania has developed an independent Central Electoral Committee (CEC) and adopted laws requiring detailed and public disclosure of political finance accounts. Prior to conducting Money and Politics programming in Lithuania, the CEC had made a demonstrable interest in making information public. While scanning summary report of accounts and placing them on the internet, the user could not search, not easily compare and analyze the information. Interested parties were required to make an appointment to view more detailed, paper-based information. Further, while the Tax Authorities are required to audit final political party reports, enforcement is widely considered to be weak. Few, if any, cases of political finance violations have been forwarded and investigated, not to mention prosecuted. By addressing the difficult issues surrounding political finance with the support of IFES in 2002 and 2003, Lithuania is emerging as a model for other consolidating democracy to follow. Significant areas remain to be addressed. While Lithuania has taken concrete steps to reform political finance legislation, open political finance information to public scrutiny and oversight, and encourage debate, further efforts are required to actively enforce laws and regulations and raise the level of debate among the various governmental, legislative, and civil society groups. By addressing these areas, Lithuania has the potential for being an example of best practices while making local expertise and resources to other countries undergoing similar reforms.
December 31, 2002
Publication
Electoral Assessment
Angola Pre-Election Assessment Report (2001)
From August 4-20, 2001, the International Foundation for Election Systems (IFES), the International Republican Institute (IRI) and the National Democratic Institute (NDI) conducted a joint pre-election assessment in Angola. The objective of the assessment was to: (1) Determine the prospects for holding general elections at such a time when the conditions that affect elections are conducive to a participatory and open process; and (2) Provide a set of baseline data from which to assess the readiness of Angola for elections and to make recommendations to the Government of the Republic of Angola, United States Government, the United Nations organizations in Luanda, and other donors, in preparation for such elections, including a timeline by which key actions need to occur.
February 28, 2002
Election Material
Civic Education Material
Voter Education: Curriculum Methodologies
“Voter Education: Curriculum Methodologies,” published in 1999, is a booklet that explains the role of the Electoral Commission of Kenya in voter education. The Electoral Commision was focused on revamping the electoral process in Kenya and enhancing civic participation in the increasingly pluralistic Kenyan political process. This was particularly important as Kenya had been under virtual one party rule from 1969 until the early 1990s.
Election Material
Civic Education Material
Daraja Update
This November 1997 issue of “Daraja” touches on the struggle to achieve civic elections in Kenya and promoting democracy and good governance in Africa. The lead article focuses on the effort to enhance civic education and elections in the midst of executive governmental power that is not in favor of promoting political participation or expanding democracy. The second major piece describes the pathway to achieving peace in Africa and six major impediments to achieving strong democracy in the region. The challenges presented by the article to developing democracy in Africa are overcoming violence, sound democracy development managment, enhancing the role of civil society, mainstreaming women into politics, increasing the capacity of African institutions that allow for democracy development and developing an ownership of democratic reforms in order to bring about demcoracy that fits the region and culture that it will be governing.