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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
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.
Election FAQ
Elections in Ukraine: May 25 Early Presidential Election
The new, reformist government that came to power in Ukraine after the violent clashes that led to former President Viktor Yanukovych fleeing the country, scheduled an early presidential election for May 25.
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
Feature
2014 Thailand General Elections
On February 2, 2014, the world watched Thailand’s general election unfold within a tenuous political environment. One-tenth of polling stations throughout Thailand were closed on Election Day, and 28 of 375 constituencies had no candidates due to anti-election demonstrations.
Thailand is now in a position where it cannot currently produce enough legislators to seat the House of Representatives. Legal challenge by the opposition over the validity of the election is a possibility, as well as holding by-elections to fill the remaining seats.
The task of the Election Commission of Thailand under these circumstances is a formidable challenge. Never has the independence, neutrality and competence of commission been more important.
Thailand is now in a position where it cannot currently produce enough legislators to seat the House of Representatives. Legal challenge by the opposition over the validity of the election is a possibility, as well as holding by-elections to fill the remaining seats.
The task of the Election Commission of Thailand under these circumstances is a formidable challenge. Never has the independence, neutrality and competence of commission been more important.
Election FAQ
Elections in Thailand: 2014 General Elections
On February 2, 2014, Thailand will hold General Elections. IFES' Frequently Asked Questions shed light on the polls.
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.
Election FAQ
Elections in Ukraine: October 28 Parliamentary Elections
On October 28, Ukrainians will go to the polls to fill 450 seats in the country’s national legislature, the Verkhovna Rada. These parliamentary elections will be the first since 2002 to be held under a mixed system of single-member districts and party lists’ proportional representation, marking a significant shift in Ukraine’s legislative structure.
News & Updates
Feature
Empowering Underrepresented Populations
In this podcast, Vasu Mohan, IFES deputy director for Asia, and Alan Wall, country director in Nepal tell us about IFES' work to empower underrepresented populations.