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Financing Politics: The Middle East and North Africa
Financing Politics: The Middle East and North Africa is a collaborative effort between the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) and the Arab Region Parliamentarians against Corruption (ARPAC). It represents a concerted attempt to better understand and document existing political finance regulations and experiences in five countries – Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Tunisia and Yemen. The availability of information on the funding of parties and campaigns is a first and significant step in enhancing transparency.
September 30, 2013
Publication
Electoral Assessment
Inclusion Practices Implemented by Election Management Bodies in Africa
A new study from IFES focuses on the different practices that EMBs have implemented on the African continent to include traditionally underrepresented voters, such as women and persons with disabilities.
April 22, 2021
Publication
Report/Paper
Overcoming Challenges to Democracy and Governance Programs in Post-Conflict Countries: CEPPS Lessons Learned
How can democracy and governance programs be more effective in post-conflict environments?
May 18, 2021
Publication
Report/Paper
Elections in Tunisia: Key Challenges for Credible and Competitive Elections
Tunisia’s ongoing and rapid political change is likely to culminate in coming days on an agreement on the timeframe for presidential and parliamentary elections. Assuming that political will for change remains in place, these elections will take place in a very different political climate to any other elections held in the North Africa region.
February 24, 2011
Publication
Report/Paper
Elections in Tunisia: Steps Towards Elections in 2011
As Tunisians focus much of their attention on events unfurling across the region, there remains political commitment and activity towards ensuring progress with democratic transition through political reform and the conduct of new elections.
February 24, 2011
Publication
Report/Paper
Elections in Tunisia: The 2011 Constituent Assembly
Just six months after the Jasmine Revolution, Tunisia prepares to elect representatives to their National Constituent Assembly this October.
July 13, 2011
Publication
Report/Paper
Elections in Tunisia: The 23 October Constituent Assembly
IFES has released an updated and expanded list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the 23 October election for a National Constituent Assembly, the body that will be charged with writing a constitution in one year.
October 19, 2011
Publication
Report/Paper
On the Rule of Law in Algeria (Arabic)
On the Rule of Law in Algeria
February 21, 2003
Publication
Report/Paper
Political Money and Political Corruption: Considerations for Nigeria
November 28, 2003
Publication
Report/Paper
Promoting Electoral Access for Citizens with Disabilities: Considerations for Nigeria, INEC-Civil Society Forum Seminar on Agenda for Electoral Reform, 27-28 November 2003, Abuja, Nigeria
The right to participate in and stand for election is a fundamental human right. According to Article 25 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights: “Every citizen shall have the right and the opportunity, without any of the distinctions mentioned in Article 2 and without unreasonable restrictions: (a) To take part in the conduct of public affairs, directly or through freely chosen representatives’ (b) To vote and be elected at genuine periodic elections which shall be by universal and equal suffrage and shall be held by ballot, guaranteeing the free expression of the will of the electors; (c) To have access, on general terms of equality, to public service in his country.” The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights sets an international standard for the conduct of the elections and the right of participation in that process. In reviewing the Constitutional and legal framework of Nigeria’s electoral process, it is important to ensure that this framework meets international standards, while taking into account the nation’s experience and political and social environment. The right of participation of “every citizen” is one that must be guaranteed by law and by the way the electoral process is conducted. In Nigeria, citizens with disabilities face legal as well as practical barriers to equal participation in the electoral process. However, this electoral review affords the opportunity to ensure that the rights of citizens with disabilities are protected by law and by practice. There is no reliable data on how many of Nigeria’s approximately 120 million citizens live with some sort of physical or mental disability. Nigerian census officials last submitted statistics on disability to the United Nations over 12 years ago, estimating at that time that .5 percent of the population was disabled. This figure is not comparable to the international norm and is a severe under-estimate. In the United States, at least 6% of population has some form of obvious disability – is blind or visually impaired; deaf; a wheelchair user or has an intellectual disability. However, with Nigeria’s incidence of polio, nutritional problems and difficulties with access to healthcare, the percentage of Nigerians with obvious disabilities is likely to be higher – perhaps 10% or more. With an estimated population of 120 million, that would be more than 12 million citizens with disabilities – half of whom are of voting age, at least some 6 million people. This, of course, does not take into account persons with hidden or even undiagnosed disabilities, such as learning disabilities, diabetes, epilepsy, heart disease, etc. Section 17(2) of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution states that “every citizen shall have equality of rights, obligations and opportunities before law.” Do the Constitutional and legal provisions governing the conduct of elections guarantee this right for those Nigerian citizens with disabilities? Are Nigerians with disabilities able to equally participate in and stand for election?
November 26, 2003