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
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...
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
27 Oct 2020 | News and Updates
Read a greeting from IFES Chairman Amb. J. Kenneth Blackwell and Co-Chairman Thomas A. Devine.
22 Oct 2020 | News and Updates
Read disability rights advocate Judith Heumann's reflection on the 30th anniversary of the civil rights law, which provides protections to Americans with disabilities.
19 Oct 2020 | Election FAQ
On Tuesday, November 3, Americans will vote in the country’s first general elections to take place during a pandemic since 1918. To help you understand this important electoral process, IFES...
13 Oct 2020 | News and Updates
Read and listen to resources related to IFES' Virtual U.S. Election Program. RSVP to learn more!
12 Oct 2020 | News and Updates
In 2020, the United States marks the centennial of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution. It was a hard-won success of the U.S. women’s suffrage movement, but work remains to meet its...
8 Oct 2020 | News and Updates
The Alliance for Securing Democracy at the German Marshall Fund of the United States and IFES today released a guide to help democratic actors conduct secure elections during the coronavirus pandemic.
8 Oct 2020 | Election FAQ
On Sunday, October 25, Ukrainian voters will go to the polls to vote in local elections. To help you understand this important electoral process, IFES provides Frequently Asked Questions on...
6 Oct 2020 | Publication
IFES is dedicated to creating and protecting safe spaces for people, online and off.
2 Oct 2020 | Election FAQ
On Sunday, October 4, Kyrgyz voters will go to the polls to vote for the 120 deputes in the Jogorku Kenesh, a unicameral parliament.
30 Sep 2020 | Election FAQ
Starting on Friday, October 2, Czech voters will go to the polls to vote for one-third of the Senate and members of regional councils. To help you understand this important electoral process,...
30 Sep 2020 | News and Updates
Dr. Attahiru Muhammadu Jega, Camille Stewart, Sarah Tinsley, and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen were elected by the Board of Directors of IFES.
30 Sep 2020 | Publication
How can independent institutions overcome COVID-19 threats to protect democracy during the crisis?
18 Sep 2020 | News and Updates
To examine how other countries’ electoral experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic can guide preparations in the United States, the Council on Foreign Relations interviewed IFES experts Fernanda...
14 Sep 2020 | News and Updates
An estimated 5 million young people will be eligible to vote for the first time in Myanmar’s 2020 elections. On August 15, IFES brought together young leaders from across Myanmar to participate in...
11 Sep 2020 | News and Updates
In celebration of International Day of Democracy on September 15, IFES affirms people’s right to have a voice in how they are governed to ensure that democracies deliver for all both during and after...
2 Sep 2020 | Election FAQ
Libyan voters are currently in the midst of 38 municipal council elections scheduled in 2020, with 56 more expected in 2021. To help you understand this important electoral process, IFES provides...
26 Aug 2020 | News and Updates
Based on our significant experience promoting gender equality worldwide, IFES submitted comments on USAID's draft 2020 Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Policy.
26 Aug 2020 | Multimedia
Distributing accurate and timely messages and countering the spread of misinformation is critical in the context of the pandemic.. To increase access to this critical information, IFES and Zaykum...
26 Aug 2020 | News and Updates
To empower underrepresented populations and provide spaces for young Georgians to influence decision-making, IFES launched the "Knowledge, Advocacy, Responsibility, engagement" (KARe) initiative. On...
25 Aug 2020 | Publication
How does COVID-19 entrench state capture and threaten democracies?
25 Aug 2020 | News and Updates
Georgia’s Central Election Commission recently upgraded its server infrastructure with support from IFES, which will allow it to detect and mitigate attacks in the context of parliamentary elections...
21 Aug 2020 | Publication
Governments should consider innovative measures to safeguard democratic elections from the risks associated with COVID-19, says a new briefing published by the British Academy and co-authored by IFES...
20 Aug 2020 | Publication
An IFES white paper presents considerations and recommendations for electoral reform in the Democratic Republic of the Congo to shore up the credibility of future elections.
12 Aug 2020 | News and Updates
Continuing their response efforts to COVID-19 in Bangladesh, IFES and Dhaka University’s Microgovernance Research Initiative organized 11 webinars for the Students Against Violence...
12 Aug 2020 | News and Updates
From July 27-30, IFES partnered with The Gambia’s Independent Electoral Commission to virtually deliver part one of IFES’ Executive Curriculum in Electoral Leadership (iEXCEL) training for...