Tools & Resources
Filter by
Type
Publication date
Language
Type
Publication date
Language
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
Feature
IFES Staff Lead International Republican Institute Workshop for Political Parties
On August 12 and 13, the International Foundation for Electoral Systems’ (IFES) Chief of Party for Jordan, Hermann Thiel, facilitated a workshop on electoral systems for Jordanian political parties, organized by the International Republican Institute (IRI), IFES’ partner in USAID’s Consortium for Elections and Political Processes (CEPPS). IFES Jordan Deputy Chief of Party Sara Utaibi and IFES Outreach Specialist Naser Ramadin co-facilitated the workshop.
News & Updates
Feature
IFES and the IEC Conduct a BRIDGE “Train the Facilitator” Workshop
The International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) and the Jordanian Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) conducted a “Train the Facilitator” (TtF) workshop in Amman from May 27 to June 7, 2014. As part of IFES’s long-term goal of building the IEC into an effective and self-sustaining institution in Jordan and a model for regional electoral commissions, IFES worked with the Commission on the creation of a comprehensive professional development program.
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.
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.
Publication
Book
Financing Politics: The Middle East and North Africa
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 Corruption (ARPAC). It represents a concerted attempt to better understand and document existing political finance regulations and experiences in five countries – Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Tunisia and Yemen. The availability of information on the funding of parties and campaigns is a first and significant step in enhancing transparency.
September 30, 2013
Publication
Report/Paper
Beyond Quotas: Political Accommodations and Gender in South Sudan
Since its birth, South Sudan has taken progressive steps toward creating an inclusive government – attempting to achieve gender equality in all levels of government. In July 2013, IFES and Conflict Dynamics International conducted a workshop to assist women members of government, civil servants and civil society members identify practical steps to ensure the nation’s electoral system genuinely accommodates women’s interests. This report presents the results of the workshop.
July 30, 2013
News & Updates
Interview/Speech/Testimony
Jordan’s First Election Under a New Commission
On January 23, 2013, Jordanians went to the polls to vote in the first election since the country enacted reforms following widespread protests during the Arab Spring. In this first election administered by the IEC, Jordanians cast two ballots—one for the national district and one for a local district. Hermann Thiel, IFES Chief of Party in Jordan, answers some questions about Election Day in Amman.
News & Updates
Feature
First Line of Action: Preparing Poll Workers for Jordan’s Upcoming Elections
In preparation of the January 23, 2013 parliamentary elections, IFES held a training of trainers workshop in Karak, Jordan. Part of a nationwide cascade training plan, the goal was to enable individuals to officially train poll workers in their home districts. The trainings provided insight into Election Day procedures and polling station regulations. The participants also received an overview of the new laws, regulations and executive instructions that will be in effect during the upcoming elections.