Tools & Resources
Filter by
Type
Publication date
Language
Type
Publication date
Language
News & Updates
Feature
Bangladeshi Peace Activists Meet with US Officials on IFES’ PAVE Program
On March 30, 2016, the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) hosted a meeting in Dhaka, Bangladesh with several U.S. Government officials including Dr. Sarah Sewall, the Under Secretary for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights at the U.S. Department of State. In the meeting, Dr. Sewall discussed the present political situation in Bangladesh with eight Bangladeshi “Peace Ambassadors” (Shanti Dut Gon in Bangla) and two members of the Women’s Active Voice in Elections (WAVE) Advisory Group.
News & Updates
Feature
Bangladesh’s National Convention of the Ambassadors for Peace
On November 14, the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES), in collaboration with local partner The Hunger Project-Bangladesh, held the “National Convention of the Ambassadors for Peace” in Dhaka for the Ambassadors for Peace (Shanti Dut Gon) who have been trained through IFES’ People Against Violence in Elections (PAVE) program.
News & Updates
Feature
Women Against Violence in Elections in Bangladesh
The pervasive culture of political violence in Bangladesh has unique impacts on women, where intimidation, harassment, and sometimes physical violence can inhibit women’s electoral and political participation. To address this issue, women themselves have a critical role to play in promoting peaceful and gender-inclusive elections.
News & Updates
Feature
People Against Violence in Elections in Bangladesh
In this International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) Q&A, IFES Bangladesh Chief of Party Alistair Legge talks about the People Against Violence in Elections (PAVE) program, including how the program started; the role of violence in Bangladesh’s political and electoral processes; the instrumental role of women in election conflict and security programming; and lessons learned to prevent or mitigate electoral violence in other contexts.
News & Updates
Feature
Selima Ahmad: Business Leader and Peace Advocate
Women in Bangladesh subject to violence and intimidation. IFES’ Women Against Violence in Elections (WAVE) program gathers students and academics, civil society and media and business and political leaders in one forum to advance peace in Bangladesh. Selima Ahmad is a prominent member of the Bangladeshi business community and a member of the WAVE advisory group.
News & Updates
Press Release
Despite Successful Election, Political Violence is Still an Issue in Bangladesh: Political Parties are Key to its Eradication, Report Shows
The political violence following Bangladesh's historic December 2008 parliamentary election shows that the use of aggression as a political tool is still prevalent; political parties are instrumental to its eradication, finds a report released today by the human rights group Odhikar and the International Foundation for Electoral Systems.
Publication
Report/Paper
Odhikar and IFES Final Report on Election Violence
This report details the findings from the Election Violence Education and Resolution (EVER) program, designed by IFES and implemented by Odhikar
February 15, 2009
Publication
Report/Paper
Post-election Violence Follows Historic Bangladeshi Poll
The December 29 elections in Bangladesh have been reported as free, fair and peaceful by international and domestic observer groups including the Asian Network for Free and Fair Elections (ANFREL) and the European Union.
January 05, 2009
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