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News & Updates
Feature
An Undocumented Wonder: The Making of the Great Indian Election
On September 23, 2014, the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) hosted a conversation between IFES President and CEO Bill Sweeney and the former Chief Election Commissioner of the Election Commission of India (ECI), S.Y. Quraishi. Sweeney and Quraishi discussed Quraishi’s book An Undocumented Wonder: The Making of the Great Indian Election, a first-person account of the recent electoral history of India and a must-read for those interested in understanding how the world's largest democracy works. Quraishi was also presented with the IFES’ prestigious Hutar Award, which honors those who express a commitment to improving democratic practices.
During the event, Sweeney marveled at the immense technical undertaking of elections in India, noting that as the Chief Electoral Commissioner of India, Quraishi oversaw elections that involved over 11 million Indian government personnel. Indeed, elections in India generate both wonder and interest globally. Polls have been held at regular intervals in the country since independence, and on an unprecedented scale, surmounting the massive challenges posed by the geography of the land and the diversity of the Indian populace.
During the event, Sweeney marveled at the immense technical undertaking of elections in India, noting that as the Chief Electoral Commissioner of India, Quraishi oversaw elections that involved over 11 million Indian government personnel. Indeed, elections in India generate both wonder and interest globally. Polls have been held at regular intervals in the country since independence, and on an unprecedented scale, surmounting the massive challenges posed by the geography of the land and the diversity of the Indian populace.
News & Updates
Press Release
New Project Pioneers Enforcing the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Globally
The International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) is proud to announce our participation in a new disability rights consortium led by Mobility International USA (MIUSA).
News & Updates
Feature
Technology, Transparency & Integrity in Kenya
The use of election technology to ensure integrity and/or enhance transparency in the electoral process can be tremendously effective. Indeed, election administrators have long utilized technology to help address some of their most pressing challenges, including everything from voter registration and candidate nomination to voter identification and results transmission.
News & Updates
Interview/Speech/Testimony
IFES Q&A with Former Chief Election Commissioner of India Dr. SY Quraishi
As a former Chief Election Commissioner of India, Dr. SY Quraishi has a deep understanding of the intricacies of how the world’s largest democracy works. He also has more than 35 years of experience in civil service. Dr. Quraishi is well known in India and abroad as a development thinker, for his inclusive style of leadership, and for bringing together wide varieties of groups and institutions to achieve the common objectives of development. In this Q&A, Dr. Quraishi discusses challenges the Election Commission of India (ECI) faces in preparing to conduct credible elections and shares lessons learned. India’s five-week general elections started on April 7.
News & Updates
Feature
A Rights-Based Approach to Electoral Security
In India, Maoist rebels killed 14 people in attacks in Chhattisgarh state as part of a campaign of violence aimed at disrupting the ongoing five-week national election in the world’s most populous democracy. Similarly, in the days leading up to the April 5 presidential election in Afghanistan, the Taliban unleashed a campaign of violence to discredit the electoral process and keep voters from the polls. Many hope this election will be known for delivering the first peaceful transfer of power in the country’s history.
Election FAQ
Elections in Slovakia: March 15 Presidential Election
On Saturday, March 15, Slovaks will head to the polls to elect a successor to President Ivan Gasparovic who is currently finishing his second – and final – term in office.
News & Updates
Interview/Speech/Testimony
IFES Alumni Goes Back to School, Looks to Level the Global Playing Field
Alexandra Matthews, a graduate student at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden, tells us what she learned about empowering the vulnerable while at IFES, and how this work inspired her studies.
News & Updates
Interview/Speech/Testimony
Under a New System: Kenya's 2013 Elections
Ahead of the March 4, 2013 general elections, the country focused on introducing reforms and improvements to prevent and curtail election violence, including the introduction of a new constitution, a new election commission and a new voter registration system. Michael Yard, IFES Chief of Party in Kenya, tells us how Election Day went.
News & Updates
Feature
Kenya Votes: The Historic March 4 Poll in Pictures
On March 4, 2013, Kenyans went to the polls to vote for president, senator and assemblyperson. These were the first elections since the 2007 polls, which resulted in widespread violence, and under the new constitutional, legal and institutional framework. IFES has been supporting Kenya's Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) since 2002 and was in Nairobi and neighboring areas during the election period.
News & Updates
Interview/Speech/Testimony
Elections in Kenya: IFES President and CEO Diary
IFES President and CEO Bill Sweeney traveled to Kenya for the 2013 general elections. Through this feature, he shares his experiences ahead of and on the day of the pivotal poll.