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IFES Q&A with Former Senior Program Manager for Francophone Africa Greg Kehailia
Greg Kehailia is currently the Senior Governance and Civil Society Advisor at the International Research & Exchanges Board (IREX). Previously, he was the International Foundation for Electoral Systems’ (IFES) Senior Program Manager for Francophone Africa in Washington D.C. and also served as IFES Chief of Party in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He has over 15 years of experience as a field practitioner in governance, democratization and electoral processes, mostly in war-torn, post-conflict and transitional countries. He has worked on voter education, empowerment of civil societies, defense and promotion of human rights, and reconciliation-related issues with IFES, the United Nations, the European Union and the Euromed Foundation for Dialogue between Cultures in the Middle East and Africa. Political violence and its prevention have been at the center of his work for the past 15 years.
News & Updates
Feature
Nigeria’s 2015 Elections: A Critical Vote for Democracy in Africa
On March 28, Nigerians went to the polls and voted decisively for change. Opposition candidate Muhammadu Buhari won approximately 52 percent of the vote to defeat incumbent President Goodluck Jonathon, who collected 44 percent. Across the country, the conduct of the vote took place in a civil atmosphere, largely undisturbed by violence. Goodluck Jonathon graciously conceded defeat and congratulated Buhari on his victory, a move which was welcomed by the heads of international observer missions. Although there were some reported problems, these elections were a positive harbinger for democracy in Nigeria and Africa at large.
News & Updates
Feature
Nigeria’s Election Commission Introduces New Technologies and Processes for the 2015 Vote
Ahead of Nigeria’s 2015 general elections, I traveled to Nigeria to witness the preparations for the vote and the International Foundation for Electoral Systems’ (IFES) support for this vitally important electoral process. IFES has been engaged with Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) since 1999, providing an array of technical assistance to support the country’s electoral and political processes. There are several important developments that have been implemented by the INEC, with support from IFES, in the lead up to the 2015 general elections.
News & Updates
Feature
IFES and INEC Partner to Build Trust in Nigeria’s Elections
Since 1999, the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) has been engaged with the Nigerian Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in a remarkable partnership. In many countries, IFES provides an array of technical assistance – from long-term strategic planning years ahead of an election down to poll worker training in the immediate lead up to a vote.
News & Updates
Feature
IFES President Sweeney Testifies on Capitol Hill on Election Support in Africa
On March 18, 2015, International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) President and CEO Bill Sweeney provided testimony to the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights, and International Organizations on “U.S. Election Support in Africa.” IFES was invited to discuss the implementation of effective electoral assistance in Africa, and to provide recommendations for improving future aid.
News & Updates
Feature
A Comprehensive Approach to Supporting Elections in Tunisia
On December 17, 2010, a Tunisian street vendor called Mohamed Bouazizi doused himself in flammable liquid and self-immolated, sparking a revolution that would not only change the political trajectory of his country, but the Arab world. After years of suffering humiliating and degrading treatment by municipal officers, unable to afford the bribes they demanded, Bouazizi acted out of desperation and catalyzed protests throughout Tunisia – and eventually much of the Arab world – centered on a host of social and political issues.
News & Updates
Feature
President Bill Sweeney Reaffirms IFES’ Relationship with Egyptian Stakeholders
As Egypt prepares for parliamentary elections that will be held starting in March 2015, International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) President and CEO Bill Sweeney traveled to Egypt to reaffirm IFES’ commitment to working with key Egyptian government stakeholders. At a reception held in Cairo on February 5, President Sweeney met with the spokesman of the High Elections Commission (HEC), Judge Omar Marwan, and Chairman of the State Information Service Ambassador Salah Abdel Sadek. They were joined by officials from the Ministry of Social Solidarity and Ministry of Transitional Justice; members of the diplomatic community, including representatives from the U.S. Embassy and U.S. Agency for International Development, and the Embassies of Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Australia, and the European Union; and representatives from the United Nations Development Programme and the Arab League.
News & Updates
Press Release
IFES Launches Project to Empower Women in the Middle East
The Status of Women in the Middle East and North Africa (SWMENA), a project to improve the legal, political and social standing of women, is underway. IFES, the Institute of Women’s Policy Research (IWPR) and the Canadian Parliamentary Center (CPC), the partners in this endeavor, hope that the project will remove some of the roadblocks to women’s self-empowerment in the region.
News & Updates
Press Release
IFES Releases Innovative Book on Political Finance Regulation throughout the World
WASHINGTON, D.C.—The International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) has released Political Finance Regulation: The Global Experience, which offers insight into how the often-muddy intersection between money and politics can be regulated, taking into account the experiences of various countries around the world.
News & Updates
Press Release
IFES Returns to Work with Liberia's National Elections Commission
IFES has been awarded a five‐year cooperative agreement by USAID to support various upcoming elections in Liberia: the constitutional referendum, by‐elections, and national and local elections. These polls are of particular importance because of their central role in supporting the country’s continued transition from a devastated, conflict‐torn nation to one that is slowly building the democratic systems, institutions, and processes needed to promote long‐term stability and development.