Tools & Resources
Filter by
Type
Publication date
Language
Type
Publication date
Language
News & Updates
Feature
Kyrgyzstan Protests
Thousands of protesters are taking to the streets of Kyrgyzstan's capital to call for the resignation of President Kurmanbek Bakiev. The president said in a televised address that he would not step down.
News & Updates
Feature
Kyrgyzstan Votes to Adopt a New Constitution
On Sunday, 27 June 2010 Kyrgyzstan held a referendum to consider adopting a new constitution. The referendum, administered by a new (interim) Central Election Commission (CEC), was held just 80 days after the violent overthrow of President Kurmanbek Bakiyev and just weeks after a violent ethnic clash between Kyrgyz and Uzbeks in the south of the country. With a near 70% turnout, voters overwhelmingly approved changes to the constitution affecting the electoral system, the separation of powers, the judicial system, human rights, and local self-government. With the changes Kyrgyzstan is set to become Central Asia’s first parliamentary republic, though the serious work of implementation lay ahead.
News & Updates
Feature
Kyrgyzstan's Democratic Experiment
On June 27, 2010 Kyrgyzstan adopted a new constitution via nationwide referendum. Introducing a new or revised governing charter was nothing new for the Central Asian republic—they have seen many since their independence in 1991. This new constitution, however, ushered in a new era for the country as it established a parliamentary system that would allow power to be decentralized and shared among different political parties.
News & Updates
Feature
Kyrgyzstan's Upcoming Election
Anthony Bowyer, IFES Program Manager for the Caucasus and Central Asia, tells us why all eyes are once again on Kyrgyzstan as it heads toward general elections on October 30.
News & Updates
Feature
Tunisia: Voting for the 'First' Time
Tunisia held the country’s first free and fair election on 23 October. Millions of Tunisians went to the polls to cast their ballots for the National Constituent Assembly, which will have one year to write a new constitution. Excitement was high as the country that ignited the Arab Spring was also the first of those countries to hold an election. The counting of ballots, which was done by poll workers, went on into the night as election observers watched the process.
News & Updates
Interview/Speech/Testimony
Witnessing Tunisia's Historic Election
Tunisia held its first democratic election on Sunday, lighting the way for nations experiencing the Arab Spring. Nicolas Kaczorowski, IFES Country Director in Tunisia, shares his experience of the historic election.
News & Updates
Interview/Speech/Testimony
Kyrgyzstan: Electing a New President
On 30 October, Kyrgyzstan held an election to choose a successor to interim President Rosa Otunbayeva. IFES Program Manager Anthony Bowyer, along with other IFES staff members, visited polling stations throughout the day.
News & Updates
Feature
After the Arab Spring: Challenges for Credible Elections
As citizens of the Middle East and North Africa demand democratic reform through the ballot, it is important to understand the steps that must be taken to conduct elections that reflect the will of the people.
News & Updates
Feature
Media Centers: Serving Democracy Through the Press
As the global leader in democracy promotion, IFES has helped election management bodies (EMBs) around the world set up media centers to facilitate the flow of information and enhance transparency in the electoral process. A media center allows EMBs, the authoritative sources of election news, to distribute real-time information to local and foreign journalists, including updates on the progress of voting and preliminary announcements of election results. For elections, independent media serve to underscore key issues, shed light on candidates and political parties, provide voter education and keep the population updated on electoral developments.
News & Updates
Interview/Speech/Testimony
Young Leader Perspective: Achraf Aouadi
Young persons can be powerful change agents in their communities. Disseminating information on the electoral cycle, volunteering in voter registration drives, observing elections to ensure rights are respected, and forming watchdog organizations are some of the many ways youths around the world are making a difference.