Southern Sudan: Referendum for Secession

January 25, 2011

Sunday, January 9 kicked off a week of voting in Southern Sudan on a referendum to determine whether it will secede from the north. The overall mood was jubilant as citizens fulfilled one of the points established during the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), which was signed on January 9, 2005 between the Government of the Sudan and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement. The CPA expired on July 9, 2011. Final results from the referendum are expected to be released in late January and final results will be made public by February 14, 2011.

Post-conflict, Voter Turnout, Voter Registration

Exploring Moldova through Food, Farming, and Politics

December 20, 2010

Living in Washington, DC exposes people to colleagues who have traveled all over the world for work. Yet, when I told my friends that for my second posting with IFES I would travel to Moldova, many looked at me as if I had suddenly given them a geography quiz, and they were failing.

Civil Society, Civic Education, Elections, Voter Turnout

Guinea Votes in the Presidential Runoff

November 17, 2010

After decades of dictatorship, Guinea had its first legitimate presidential election on June 27, 2010. The results were accepted by the population, but the poll revealed that Guinea’s electoral commission (CENI because of its acronym in French) had to make many improvements to the voting process.

Voter Turnout, Elections, Electoral Systems, Post-conflict, Democracy Assistance

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

Run-off Elections in Guinea

July 06, 2010

Elizabeth Cote, chief of party in Guinea, gives an update on what has been happening since the June 27, 2010 presidential election in Guinea that was hailed as the first free election in the country since their independence in 1958:

Voter Turnout, Elections, Election Disputes

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

Filipino Detainees, Volcanoes (and Elections, Too)

June 23, 2010

As I left for the Philippines on 5 May to observe its elections, it was bittersweet since the day before was Election Day in my hometown in Virginia and I’d just lost my election for City Council by 80 votes. Going 8,000 miles away seemed like a good idea.

Elections, Election Technology, Voter Turnout

Focus on Morocco | Civic and Political Participation Topic Brief

June 22, 2010

This topic brief presents the main findings from the SWMENA survey in Morocco on civic and political participation. It includes an analysis of civic engagement through membership in different types of organizations and taking part in different activities to express opinions on political and social issues. Voting behavior is also explored in reference to participation in the 2009 municipal elections in June 2009 as well as women’s opinions about policy priorities and factors influencing their voting choices.

Civic Education, Women's Empowerment, Public Opinion, Voter Turnout

IFES Observes Historic Philippines Election

May 27, 2010

IFES President and CEO Bill Sweeney and other DC-based staff joined Philippines Chief of Party Beverly Hagerdon Thakur, Deputy Chief of Party Juhai Grossmann and other IFES-Philippines staff members in observing the May 10, 2010 national and local election. Filipinos went to the polls to cast ballots for president, vice-president, senators, congressmen, governors, mayors and other key offices.

Elections, Election Technology, Electoral Systems, Voter Turnout

Burundians Vote in Communal Elections

May 24, 2010

On May 24, 2010, communal elections, the first in a series of polls that will take place in Burundi this summer, were held. This series of elections are the first to be implemented in Burundi since the rebels laid down their arms and ended years of civil war. The district elections are considered to be crucial for the consolidation of peace in the war-ravaged country.  They are seen a barometer for the electoral period which will include presidential, legislative and local elections by September 2010.

Elections, Election Observation, Democracy Assistance, Voter Turnout