Political Parties

Mother and Daughter. Photo by AK. Jailani

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Guinea's First Democratically-Elected President

December 06, 2010

On December 3, 2010, Guinea's Supreme Court ruled Alpha Condé the winner of a November 7 presidential runoff election. These sets of elections were the first truly democratic polls in Guinea’s history.

Political Parties, Elections, Democracy Assistance

Kyrgyzstan: The Dawn of a Democratic Era?

November 23, 2010

On June 27, 2010 Kyrgyzstan adopted a new constitution via nationwide referendum. Introducing a new or revised governing charter has been nothing new for the Central Asian republic—it has seen several since its independence in 1991. This new constitution, however, appears to be ushering in a new era for the country, as it provides for a first-ever parliamentary system that would allow power to be decentralized and shared among different political parties.

Political Parties, Elections

Now Online! Uganda’s Voter Register

November 23, 2010

In preparation for the spring 2011 general elections, Uganda adopted an innovative method to improve its voter register. As increasing numbers of Ugandans become computer literate, the National Voter Register (NVR) included a feature that allows individual voters to verify their registration status and polling stations via the internet.

Voter Registration, Elections, Election Technology, Civil Society, Political Parties

National Survey Reveals Trepidation in Ukraine Towards Current Political Affairs

October 13, 2010

KYIV — Public opinion regarding Ukraine’s political situation is tepid at best, finds a survey by the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES).

Public Opinion, Election Procedures, Electoral Systems, Civil Society, Elections

Transition and Trepidation: Public Opinion in Ukraine

October 2010

This report details the findings from the latest IFES survey in Ukraine. This is the 18th public opinion poll conducted in Ukraine by IFES, and some of the findings from earlier surveys will be referenced in this briefing paper. The fieldwork for this most recent survey was conducted from September 8 to 20, 2010, with 1,519 respondents throughout Ukraine. This sample comprised a national sample of 1,269 respondents, and an over-sample of 125 respondents in Kyiv and 125 respondents in Crimea. The data has been weighted by region, age, and gender to be nationally representative for the adult (18+) population of Ukraine. The margin of error for a sample of this size is plus/minus 2.6 percent. The fieldwork and data processing for the survey were conducted by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS), based in Kyiv. The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) funded the survey.

Public Opinion, Election Procedures, Electoral Systems, Elections, Democracy Assistance

Kyrgyzstan’s Parliamentary Election is a Step in the Right Direction

October 12, 2010

The International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) regards the October 10, 2010 elections to the Jogorku Kenesh as a significant step forward in the development of democracy in the Kyrgyz Republic. The October 10 vote represents the most open, well-administered and competitive election process seen in the country to date, with 29 parties competing for 120 seats as part of a new parliamentary system of government.

Elections, Democracy Assistance, Political Parties, Governance

Assessment of the Pre-Election Environment for Ukraine’s Local Government Elections

October 08, 2010

This statement is offered by two international pre-election delegations organized by the National Democratic Institute (NDI) and the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES), to assess the electoral environment in Ukraine in advance of the October 31 local elections. 

Legal Framework, Electoral Systems, Political Parties, Elections, Voter Registration

NDI and IFES Election Mission Recommends Measures to Increase Voter Confidence in Ukraine

October 08, 2010

This statement is offered by two international pre-election delegations organized by the National Democratic Institute (NDI) and the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES), to assess the electoral environment in Ukraine in advance of the October 31 local elections. 

Legal Framework, Electoral Systems, Political Parties, Elections, Voter Registration

IFES co-hosts Symposium to Spread Electoral Awareness in Egypt

October 05, 2010

On September 26, 2010, IFES and the Ahram Center for Political and Strategic Studies (ACPSS) hosted an Electoral Symposium to spread electoral awareness before the upcoming People’s Assembly elections in November, 2010. The event featured distinguished speakers from political parties, government officials, members of civil society and election experts. Among them were IFES consultants Lisa Kammerud and Bashar Eldeek , Country Director Charles Lasham, People’s Assembly and Taggamu’ Party Member Mr. Mohamed Abdelaziz Shaaban, former Minister of Sport and Youth Dr. Abdelahad Gamaluddin, President of Ahram Center for Political and Strategic Studies (ACPSS) Dr. Gamal Sultan and famous Egyptian journalist Ameena Shafiq . The event took place in the Ibrahim Nafei Hall, named after the renowned Egyptian journalist, at the Ahram main building in Cairo Downtown area. This symposium is part of IFES programming to provide a platform for Egyptian citizens to dialogue about electoral issues in Egypt.

Elections, Civil Society, Civic Education, Political Parties, Democracy Assistance

Key Findings: IFES Indonesia Electoral Survey 2010

September 2010

In August 2010, IFES contracted Polling Center of Jakarta to conduct a nationwide public opinion survey with a sample size of 2,500. Interviews were conducted in all 33 provinces and the survey is nationally representative of all voting-age individuals across Indonesia. The survey focused on the electoral process and electoral institutions in the country but also addresses general socio-economic issue and attitudes toward democracy and political participation. A summary of key finding from the survey is provided below. Some comparative data from an IFES 2008 survey is also cited. The sample size for that survey was also 2,500 and was nationally representative of all voting-age individuals across Indonesia. The margin of error for a survey of this size is plus/minus 2%.

Public Opinion, Election Procedures, Electoral Systems, Elections, Democracy Assistance

Topic In Brief

A political party is a political organization that typically seeks to attain and maintain political power within government, usually by participating in electoral campaigns, educational outreach or protest actions. Parties often espouse an expressed ideology or vision bolstered by a written platform with specific goals, forming a coalition among disparate interests.

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