What We Do
As a global leader in democracy promotion, the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) engages with critical issues in democracy, governance and elections around the world. From programming aimed at ensuring electoral integrity and accountability to efforts to empower underrepresented populations, such as persons with disabilities, women and youth, to participate in electoral and political processes, IFES is at the forefront of innovative work to provide citizens around the world with the fundamental human right to have a say in how they are governed. Our research and surveys build on this work and aim to improve the electoral cycle in order to build sustainable democracy.
Consortium for Elections and Political Processes Strengthening (CEPPS)
CEPPS is composed of three equal partners: IFES, the International Republican Institute and the National Democratic Institute. CEPPS allows IFES to carry out cost-effective global and regional programming to respond to new challenges in strengthening electoral and political processes. Learn more about CEPPS.
Related Content
20 Jan 2022 | Election FAQ
On Jan. 26, Nepal will hold elections to replace 19 National Assembly members. To help you understand this important electoral process, IFES provides Frequently Asked Questions on Elections...
19 Jan 2022 | Election FAQ
On Sunday, Jan. 23, Senegalese voters will have the opportunity to vote in 15,066 polling stations throughout the national territory.
13 Jan 2022 | News and Updates
IFES President and CEO Anthony Banbury was quoted in in The Washington Diplomat on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on democracy.
12 Jan 2022 | News and Updates
IFES commends the U.S. Department of State's permanent establishment of the Office of International Disability Rights.
11 Jan 2022 | News and Updates
The IFES Center for Anti-Corruption and Democratic Trust is launching a non-resident, fellows and scholars program to provide an opportunity for academics and practitioners to collaborate with...
11 Jan 2022 | Publication
IFES publishes two electoral assessments of the Syrian 2021 presidential election.
10 Jan 2022 | Publication
Using data from more than 25 years of democracy and governance programs implemented by CEPPS in 18 countries, IFES has published the second paper of its series, Increasing the Success and...
10 Jan 2022 | News and Updates
IFES is pleased to announce an expert seminar organized by the Office of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya on the “Future of Election Regulation in Belarus” from Jan. 11-12.
10 Dec 2021 | Publication
IFES releases Lessons for Regulating Campaigning on Social Media, the second paper in the Election Case Law Analysis Series, which presents curated data and analysis from...
6 Dec 2021 | News and Updates
IFES and other pro-democracy partners release Five Messages ahead of the Summit for Democracy.
6 Dec 2021 | News and Updates
IFES developed and delivered nationwide trainings to all Zambian election officials on conflict mitigation, electoral leadership and crisis communication for the 2021 Zambian elections.
3 Dec 2021 | News and Updates
IFES and partner USPSA launched an interactive virtual webinar series, “Youth Advocacy for Inclusive COVID-19 Response and Recovery,” to empower young advocates throughout the Pacific Islands.
30 Nov 2021 | Publication
This paper on gender equality and women's political participation is the first in a new Election Case Law Analysis Series that presents curated data and analysis from ElectionJudgments.org.
30 Nov 2021 | Election FAQ
On Saturday, Dec. 4, Gambian voters will have the opportunity to vote for the president of the Republic of The Gambia.
24 Nov 2021 | Election FAQ
Hondurans will head to the polls on Nov. 28 to elect the President, members of the National Congress and members of the Central American Parliament.
24 Nov 2021 | Election FAQ
On Sunday, Nov. 28, Kyrgyzstan’s voters will go to the polls for parliamentary elections.
17 Nov 2021 | Election FAQ
Bougainvilleans will go to the polls starting on Monday, Nov. 22, to vote in the 2021 Community Government elections.
9 Nov 2021 | News and Updates
From Oct. 7-8, 2021, IFES trained disability rights advocates in Jamaica from the Combined Disabilities Association on polling station assessments.
21 Oct 2021 | News and Updates
IFES and CEELI launched the worldwide ECAC and IMPACTS projects.
20 Oct 2021 | News and Updates
The Kyrgyz Republic Political Process Program celebrates International Youth Day 2021 with a week-long Electoral Rights Fest.
14 Oct 2021 | Election FAQ
On Sunday, October 17, Macedonian voters will have the opportunity to vote for members of the municipal councils and mayors in the 80 municipalities and the City of Skopje.
13 Oct 2021 | Publication
IFES President and CEO Tony Banbury and Sr. Global Advisor-Legal & head of IFES’ new Center for Anti-Corruption & Democratic Trust Katherine Ellena remind us via Devex that the solution to...
13 Oct 2021 | Publication
IFES conducted an electoral assessment of Saint Eustatius' 2020 island council elections.
12 Oct 2021 | News and Updates
A new study from the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) focuses on the different practices that electoral management bodies (EMBs) have implemented on the African continent to...
12 Oct 2021 | News and Updates
A new video introduces the CEPPS Countering Disinformation Guide, now available in different languages.
8 Oct 2021 | Multimedia
A new International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) original whiteboard video explores the meaning of electoral justice and the importance of election dispute resolution.
6 Oct 2021 | Election FAQ
On Friday, October 8, Czech voters will have the opportunity to vote for representatives to fill 200 seats in the Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament.
5 Oct 2021 | Election FAQ
On Sunday, October 10, Iraqi voters will have the opportunity to vote for the Council of Representatives in 83 electoral constituencies in 18 governorates.
4 Oct 2021 | News and Updates
This partnership enables us to support the establishment and consolidation of inclusive and accountable democracies to advance freedom, dignity and development over the next five years.
29 Sep 2021 | News and Updates
IFES is proud to announce our commitment to promote women’s meaningful participation in peace and security processes through signature of the Generation Equality Compact on Women, Peace and Security...
15 Sep 2021 | News and Updates
IFES partnered with the Central and Eastern European Law Initiative Institute to develop the Anti-Corruption and Anti-Money Laundering Course for Civil Society in Post-Transition Environments.
15 Sep 2021 | News and Updates
IFES launches new Center for Anti-Corruption and Democratic Trust on International Day of Democracy.
25 Aug 2021 | Publication
A new IFES guide helps election management bodies further leverage social media to expand voter education and outreach.
11 Aug 2021 | News and Updates
IFES held Nepal's first-ever multistakeholder dialogues on LGBTQI+ inclusion in elections in partnership with the Blue Diamond Society.
11 Aug 2021 | Publication
Lebanon's PATH Coalition drafted an intersectional policy platform that lays out priorities for rights-based advocacy.
6 Aug 2021 | News and Updates
Based on the lessons learned exercise, IFES and the National Electoral Council are drafting a final report that will formalize recommendations and develop a roadmap.
6 Aug 2021 | News and Updates
One of the objectives of IFES' strategic plan is to support all people to safely participate in civic and political life on an equal basis – this objective specifically mentions and prioritizes...
5 Aug 2021 | News and Updates
The Girls LEAD Act and the Office of International Disability Rights Act align with IFES’ Strategic Outcome for Inclusion and Human Rights, inclusive youth programming and mission to build...
5 Aug 2021 | Publication
IFES' Ashley Law and Virginia Atkinson co-authored a new article for the Journal of Youth Development.
5 Aug 2021 | News and Updates
Every August, in celebration of the United Nations’ International Youth Day, IFES holds a social media campaign on Twitter @IFESYouth
3 Aug 2021 | Publication
IFES' Mali Electoral Integrity Assessment was conducted remotely by a six-member assessment team supported by two experts in Bamako to evaluate electoral vulnerabilities.
2 Aug 2021 | Election FAQ
On Thursday, August 12, Zambian voters will have the opportunity to vote for president, members of the National Assembly, mayors, and council chairpersons and counselors.
13 Jul 2021 | News and Updates
On May 27, CEPPS hosted an event that explored how democracy, human rights and governance practitioners can use data to support the design and implementation of effective assistance programs.
6 Jul 2021 | Election FAQ
On Sunday, July 11, Moldovan voters will go to the polls for early parliamentary elections.
30 Jun 2021 | Publication
IFES supported the Dominican Republic's Central Electoral Board to identify reform priorities following the 2021 electoral process.
7 Jun 2021 | Election FAQ
On Monday, June 21, Ethiopian voters will go to the polls for general elections. To help you understand this important electoral process, IFES provides Frequently Asked Questions.
3 Jun 2021 | News and Updates
IFES works closely with disabled persons organizations in Sri Lanka to build a country where all persons with disabilities can exercise their rights to participate in public life.
2 Jun 2021 | Multimedia
Breaking the link between money in politics and corruption requires dedicated effort.
2 Jun 2021 | Election FAQ
On Sunday, June 6, voters will go to the polls for the largest elections in Mexico’s history. To help you understand this important electoral process, IFES provides Frequently Asked Questions.
1 Jun 2021 | Publication
How can states better utilize peer reviews to combat corruption?
25 May 2021 | Publication
How can violence monitoring efforts and early warning systems better integrate gender-sensitive indicators?