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
8 Mar 2021 | News and Updates
IFES and Pak Women are implementing a “She Leads Pakistan” leadership program that engages men to partner with women community leaders to advance a more inclusive democratic process.
8 Mar 2021 | News and Updates
IFES organized a webinar on the lessons learned from holding elections in Georgia, Moldova, Romania and Ukraine in recent months.
5 Mar 2021 | News and Updates
IFES and the Pacific Disability Forum stand in solidarity with women with disabilities working to ensure equal access to rights in the COVID-19 response and recovery.
5 Mar 2021 | News and Updates
IFES is developing a handbook on how to draft a disability inclusion policy to strengthen the participation of persons with disabilities in elections and political processes.
5 Mar 2021 | News and Updates
In November 2020, IFES facilitated a strategic communications training for staff members of The Gambia’s Independent Electoral Commission.
2 Mar 2021 | Publication
The risk-limiting audit is a type of post-election tabulation audit that relies on statistical evidence to confirm that the election outcome is correct.
24 Feb 2021 | Publication
IFES is dedicated to creating and protecting safe spaces for people, online and off.
20 Feb 2021 | News and Updates
An independent team of IFES experts conducted an in-person technical observation and assessment of the Turks and Caicos Islands' 2021 general elections.
16 Feb 2021 | News and Updates
IFES experts will conduct an in-person technical observation and assessment of the Turks and Caicos Islands' February 19 general elections
9 Feb 2021 | News and Updates
Leonida Ponomaryova is a scholar and civic activist with a visual disability and a newly elected member of the Kyiv Oblast Council.
9 Feb 2021 | News and Updates
IFES' local partners are working to ensure that the rights of women with disabilities and young people are included in Nepal's COVID-19 response and to spread awareness of health and safety measures.
5 Feb 2021 | News and Updates
The elections' outcome will guide approaches to the economy, national security, public health, the COVID-19 crisis, international relations, migration and more.
5 Feb 2021 | News and Updates
Under the “Improving Electoral and Political Process for Change in Sudan” program, IFES will continue to support Sudan’s democratic transition until at least November 2023.
4 Feb 2021 | News and Updates
Today on Global Elections Day, IFES recognizes young people’s contributions to democracy and proudly commits to democracy for all.
3 Feb 2021 | News and Updates
In Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Central Election Commission and IFES collaborated on the development and launch of an e-learning platform for poll workers.
26 Jan 2021 | Multimedia
In December 2020, IFES posted photos of women and men with disabilities around the world with statements that highlight advocacy of persons with disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
26 Jan 2021 | News and Updates
For the first time ever, Lebanese civil society organizations submitted a joint report to the United Nations that considered violations of sexual and reproductive rights.
26 Jan 2021 | News and Updates
Within the evolving public health crisis and the economic uncertainty that it has wrought, we will witness several consequential elections around the globe in the months ahead.
22 Jan 2021 | News and Updates
An IFES webinar explored how cybersecurity and technology can protect elections, as well as how it can be subverted for malicious purposes.
22 Jan 2021 | News and Updates
Education – in particular, civic education – is a linchpin in building an engaged citizenry and inclusive, resilient and sustainable democracies.
21 Jan 2021 | News and Updates
To help raise awareness on how to build an inclusive community and democracy during the pandemic, IFES organized a webinar on the inclusion of persons with disabilities in electoral and political...
12 Jan 2021 | Publication
Through our Strengthening Engagement Through Education for Democracy (SEED) methodology, IFES equips youth with the knowledge and skills essential for democratic engagement in the digital age.
11 Jan 2021 | News and Updates
Bangladesh’s Students Against Violence Everywhere hosted an online forum to promote inclusivity and religious, ethnic and cultural tolerance.
7 Jan 2021 | Election FAQ
On Sunday, January 10, Kyrgyzstan's voters will go to the polls for an early presidential election.
7 Jan 2021 | News and Updates
IFES condemns with the strongest voice the mob violence yesterday at our nation’s Capitol.
23 Dec 2020 | News and Updates
On December 9, Indonesia held its fourth concurrent regional head elections for 270 positions.
23 Dec 2020 | Election FAQ
On Sunday, December 27, Nigerien voters will go to the polls for legislative elections and the first round of the presidential election.
21 Dec 2020 | Publication
Lessons learned from COVID-19's impact in Serbia could help future electoral processes worldwide.
17 Dec 2020 | Publication
Grounded in international principles and comparative experience, this Guidebook was designed to be a tool for practitioners responsible for carrying out election investigation processes.
17 Dec 2020 | News and Updates
IFES experts tackle the unique challenges to investigating election disputes in the U.S. and around the world.
16 Dec 2020 | News and Updates
In response to COVID-19, IFES’ Regional Europe Office quickly adapted in-person events to online webinars and meetings to continue programming and continued engaging key electoral stakeholders.
16 Dec 2020 | News and Updates
The Board of Directors elected Biggs, former President of the Canadian International Development Agency, for a three-year term at its December 8 meeting.
15 Dec 2020 | News and Updates
Stephen Boyce is a cybersecurity expert with experience working in law enforcement, the private sector, public service, and higher education.
15 Dec 2020 | News and Updates
The Committee for the Families of the Kidnapped and IFES’ partner the Lebanese Union for People with Physical Disabilities co-organized a march to unite people from different backgrounds to demand...
10 Dec 2020 | Publication
IFES' 2020 contributions provided insights from our vast network and technical experience in advancing the rights of racial, ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities.
7 Dec 2020 | Publication
Parliamentary Oversight of Constitutional Bodies in the Maldives explores how parliamentary tools and mechanisms can be effectively tailored to provide the appropriate level of oversight. The...
3 Dec 2020 | News and Updates
This year's theme is "Building Back Better: toward a disability-inclusive, accessible and sustainable post COVID-19 World."
25 Nov 2020 | Election FAQ
On Wednesday, December 9, Indonesians will vote for governors, mayors and regents, who are collectively known as regional heads.
17 Nov 2020 | Election FAQ
On Sunday, November 22, Burkinabè voters will go to the polls for presidential, legislative and provincial elections. The elections constitute a...
16 Nov 2020 | Publication
As part of our contribution to the United Nations General Assembly Special Session 2021 and draft political declaration, IFES has recommended six priorities for the international anti-corruption...
16 Nov 2020 | News and Updates
In partnership with the Fijian Elections Office, IFES co-hosted a webinar on inclusion in the Pacific region during the COVID-19 pandemic.
13 Nov 2020 | News and Updates
Ahead of Sri Lanka’s recent elections and with IFES' support, Consumer Action Network Mental Health Lanka launched a voter education and advocacy campaign for persons with psychosocial disabilities.
11 Nov 2020 | News and Updates
Michael Meenan will join IFES as Chief Financial Officer on January 1, 2021.
9 Nov 2020 | Election FAQ
On Sunday, November 15, Bosnians in 120 municipalities, 21 cities and the Brčko District will vote in local elections. Though the elections were originally scheduled for October 4, funding delays and...
6 Nov 2020 | News and Updates
In Tunisia, IFES has been actively innovating and adapting its programming to ensure inclusion of Deaf communities in political life during the pandemic.
5 Nov 2020 | Survey
Please provide your feedback on your Virtual U.S. Election Program experience.
3 Nov 2020 | News and Updates
IFES and Microsoft present expert analysis the morning after Election Day in the U.S.
2 Nov 2020 | Publication
IFES has endorsed an advisory document that provides civil society actors and its supporters with important tools to protect electoral integrity despite the pandemic.
30 Oct 2020 | Election FAQ
On Sunday, November 1, Moldovans will directly elect the next president for the first time since 2000 – the result of a 2016 Constitutional Court ruling.
28 Oct 2020 | Publication
COVID-19 has suddenly increased demand for voting by mail. A new IFES paper compares practices around the world and provides recommendations.
28 Oct 2020 | Publication
Use our 2020 U.S. Election Program Social Media toolkit to join the conversation! #USEP2020