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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.
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
Democracy Camps in the Kyrgyz Republic benefit Students with Disabilities
The International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) recently completed its annual Democracy Camp program in the Kyrgyz Republic, which brought together 120 secondary school students from across the country, including – for the first time – seven students with disabilities.
News & Updates
Feature
Empowering Tomorrow through Youth Engagement
IFES works to empower youth around the world by hosting democracy-focused camps, events, and activities. By educating young people about democracy, we enable them to express themselves and have a voice in their communities.
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.
News & Updates
Feature
Beyond Voting: CSOs Playing the Role of Watchdogs in Tunisia
Civil society organizations are an important part of Tunisia's democratization process and can play a strong role in shaping the political culture. In this podcast, we discuss the roles of CSO as watchdogs against corruption and as educators for citizens' electoral rights. The podcast features Mouheb Garoui, the President and Founder of I Watch, and Samer Elchahabi, Sr. Program Officer for IFES in Tunisia and Libya.
News & Updates
Interview/Speech/Testimony
Return on Investment: Democracy Camps After 10 Years
IFES has been implementing Democracy Camps in Kyrgyzstan for over a decade to familiarize a new generation with democratic principles. Regional Program Coordinator for Europe and Asia Augusta Featherston had the opportunity to meet with Democracy Camp alumni while visiting Bishkek for local elections on November 25.
News & Updates
Interview/Speech/Testimony
CEDAW Anniversary: Redefining Gender Roles in Kyrgyzstan
In Kyrgyzstan, parents in traditional families typically raise boys and girls differently. Education levels also influence how much discrimination women face. IFES Program Officer Guljan Mamadiyeva talks about how these differences affect women's participation in Kyrgyzstan.