Nigerians Vote in Multiple National Elections

May 26, 2011

Nigeria held a series of nationwide elections in April 2011, beginning with National Assembly polls on April 9 and a presidential election on April 16. Elections for state governors were held on April 26 in most parts of the country but delayed until April 28 in two states due to violence following the presidential vote. After registering to vote in January and February, Nigerians underwent a voter accreditation process in the morning of each election day before casting their ballots in the afternoon. Despite the considerable security challenges, the polls were considered generally fair and credible by international observers.

Elections, Election Observation

Cappuccinos and Independence: Experiencing the Kosovar Spirit

January 26, 2011

Kosovo has been on the news for enough years that I thought I knew what I was in for: a cold, gray winter, with the only color provided by a people struggling with the cultural inheritance of the Cold War… poor infrastructure, smog from coal-fired electricity plants, NATO troops patrolling the streets, and high unemployment.  I wasn’t entirely wrong; in particular, the acrid smell of coal in the air brought me back to my years in Prague in the early 1990s, after the fall of the Iron Curtain.

Elections, Election Observation

Top Elections NGO Hosts Over 100 International Election Officials for Its U.S. Election Program

October 29, 2010

The International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) is hosting a two-day visitor’s program focusing on the U.S. elections. The program will bring together over 100 diplomats, parliamentarians and election officials from all over the world to observe the voting process in the United States and exchange ideas and experiences on voting.

Election Observation, Electoral Systems, Election Procedures, Elections

The Intersection of Election Observation and Assistance to the Electoral Cycle

October 25, 2010

This year marks an important milestone for the community of democracy organizations dedicated to advancing sustainable and credible election processes.  The Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation—a statement establishing standards and norms for credible observation activities—was endorsed at the United Nations five years ago.  In endorsing the Declaration, then Secretary General Kofi Annan noted that the Declaration was a “pioneering initiative that strengthens the role of the international community in supporting democratic elections around the world.”

Democracy Assistance, Civic Education, Election Observation, Elections, Election Technology

IFES CEO and VP Attend the Carter Center’s Anniversary Meeting

October 15, 2010

Bill Sweeney, IFES president and CEO, and Michael Svetlik, IFES vice-president for programs, participated at the Carter Center’s 5th Meeting on the Implementation of the Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation. The meeting, which took place on October 13-14, 2010, marked the 5th anniversary of the endorsement of the Declaration of Principles at the United Nations – a critical milestone and an opportunity to continue to advance the field of international election observation.

Democracy Assistance, Elections, Governance, Election Observation, Election Procedures

IFES Presents Groundbreaking Framework to Combat Electoral Fraud

August 26, 2010

In an ideal world every ballot would be protected, every vote kept safe, and every election above reproach.  In reality, however, no vote can be completely free of all fraud and we must keep a constant watch for anything that would cast doubt on the legitimacy of the electoral process.

Electoral Systems, Democracy Assistance, Election Observation, Legal Framework

Building a Better Election Process in Georgia

July 27, 2010

Election Day on May 30, 2010, in Tbilisi, Georgia was calm and orderly, and the results of the municipal elections brought few surprises. The incumbent mayor, Gigi Ugulava, won the Tbilisi mayoral race with 55% of the vote, and the United National Movement (the party of President Mikheil Saakashvili) dominated council votes across the country.

Elections, Post-conflict, Political Parties, Election Observation, Electoral Systems

Kyrgyzstan Votes to Adopt a New Constitution

July 20, 2010

On Sunday, 27 June 2010 Kyrgyzstan held a referendum to consider adopting a new constitution. The referendum, administered by a new (interim) Central Election Commission (CEC), was held just 80 days after the violent overthrow of President Kurmanbek Bakiyev and just weeks after a violent ethnic clash between Kyrgyz and Uzbeks in the south of the country. With a near 70% turnout, voters overwhelmingly approved changes to the constitution affecting the electoral system, the separation of powers, the judicial system, human rights, and local self-government. With the changes Kyrgyzstan is set to become Central Asia’s first parliamentary republic, though the serious work of implementation lay ahead.

Elections, Election Observation, Voter Turnout

Philippines Election and President Noynoy Aquino's Taking of Office

July 01, 2010

Juhani Grossman, deputy chief of party in the Philippines, comments on the May 10, 2010 election and President Noynoy Aquino’s taking of office.

Election Observation, Elections, Election Technology, Election Disputes, Election Procedures

Presidential Elections in Burundi

July 01, 2010

The first round of presidential elections took place in Burundi on June 28, 2010. These were the second set of polls this year; communal elections took place on May 24. These elections are the first time Burundians go to the polls since the rebels laid down their arms after years of civil war. IFES carried out a far-reaching program to prevent a return to violence as candidates competed for seats.

Elections, Post-conflict, Voter Turnout, Election Observation, Election Procedures