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News & Updates
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Cells Obstructing City Center: Protest in Tiblisi Against Saakashvili
Ched Flego, IFES chief of party in Armenia and acting chief of party in Georgia, visits the site of the protests against Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili. The protesters, who are demanding his resignation, have set camp in the center of Tiblisi.
News & Updates
Feature
Televised Candidate Debate in Tbilisi, Georgia
In anticipation of local elections at the end of the month, IFES organized and sponsored live, televised candidate debates for the post of mayor of Tbilisi, Georgia, together with Georgian Public Broadcasting. These debates represent a first in Georgian democracy – live debates featuring candidates running for office have never been produced before.
News & Updates
Feature
Election Day in Tbilisi, Georgia
Throughout the month of May, Georgia prepared for elections to choose representatives to local councils (sakrebulos) as well as the mayor of the capital city of Tbilisi. This represents the first time that voters would directly elect a mayor. IFES contributed to pre-election preparations through a number of initiatives, including sponsoring live television debates featuring the Tbilisi mayoral candidates; supporting local organizations to get out the vote, produce debates, and observe the election; facilitating a Memorandum of Understanding on the Abuse of Administrative Resources; producing voter education posters, leaflets, and T-shirts; and other activities. Election Day, May 30, 2010, was peaceful and orderly. The OSCE noted deficiencies in the electoral framework and the uneven playing field, but called these elections "evident progress" towards Georgia meeting its international commitments.
News & Updates
Interview/Speech/Testimony
Record High Voter Turnout during Guatemala Run-off Election
On Sunday, November 6, Guatemala held the second round of its presidential election. Max Zaldivar, IFES Chief of Party in Guatemala, answered a few questions about the election.
News & Updates
Feature
Guatemala's Historic Second Round
On 6 November, Guatemala held the runoff for its presidential election. The poll that was eventually won by Otto Pérez Perez Molina, a retired army general from the Patriotic Party (Partido Patriota, PP), had a record turnout for a second round vote. It also ushered in the first female vice president of Guatemala as both presidential candidates had a woman for a running mate. IFES assisted Guatemala’s election commission (Tribunal Supremo Electoral, TSE) in a number of efforts, including voter outreach, poll worker training and increasing electoral access for persons with disabilities.
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
Working for the People, Elections and Foreign Service
While with IFES, Libna Bonilla worked hand-in-hand with Maximo Zaldivar, then chief of party in Guatemala, and other team members to help Guatemala's Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) deliver the 2011 general elections.
News & Updates
Interview/Speech/Testimony
In Georgia, a Historic Transfer of Power
Observers have lauded the October 1 elections as one of the most peaceful transfers of power in Georgia’s history. Nermin Nisic, IFES chief of party in Georgia, offers his reflections on Election Day, Georgia's democracy and what comes next.
News & Updates
Feature
Elections for All: Empowering the Underrepresented
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights guarantees all individuals the freedom to partake in their nation’s government and political processes, including elections. Yet, many individuals around the world face barriers to full participation due to social, ethnic and economic inequalities. IFES’ programs empower these underrepresented populations to participate in political life in a variety of ways. This photo gallery provides some examples of our work in this area.
News & Updates
Interview/Speech/Testimony
Guatemala’s Highest Elections Official on Political Rights and Women’s Advancement
Dr. María Eugenia Villagrán De León, President of the Supreme Elections Tribunal of Guatemala (TSE), has a history of transcending gender barriers and achieving great success. To her, ensuring that women have equal opportunities and are living in a safe country where they have political rights is a personal cause. She answers some questions about her views and desires for her country.