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News & Updates
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Preventing Electoral Violence through Enhancing Security, Trust and Electoral Integrity
In order to better understand electoral violence, this article offers highlights from a forthcoming study that aims to shed some light on measures taken by stakeholders around the world to ensure that elections are held free from violence.
News & Updates
Feature
Tunisia’s Election Commission Releases Final Report on Historic 2014 Elections
On December 21, 2014, Tunisian citizens cast their ballots in the second round of the presidential elections; the third and final election of the 2014 electoral period. The first election was held on October 26, when citizens voted into office 217 members of a new Assembly of the Representatives of the People (ARP), a new permanent legislative body.
News & Updates
Interview/Speech/Testimony
Taking Stock of Nigeria’s 2015 General Elections: A Post-Election Q&A
In this post-election Q&A, IFES Program Manager Julia Hedlund discusses why the outcome of the Nigerian 2015 general elections were so important for democracy in the country; security concerns on Election Day; the performance of new technologies; and the legacy of outgoing Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman Attahiru Jega.
News & Updates
Feature
IFES Q&A with Former Senior Program Manager for Francophone Africa Greg Kehailia
Greg Kehailia is currently the Senior Governance and Civil Society Advisor at the International Research & Exchanges Board (IREX). Previously, he was the International Foundation for Electoral Systems’ (IFES) Senior Program Manager for Francophone Africa in Washington D.C. and also served as IFES Chief of Party in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He has over 15 years of experience as a field practitioner in governance, democratization and electoral processes, mostly in war-torn, post-conflict and transitional countries. He has worked on voter education, empowerment of civil societies, defense and promotion of human rights, and reconciliation-related issues with IFES, the United Nations, the European Union and the Euromed Foundation for Dialogue between Cultures in the Middle East and Africa. Political violence and its prevention have been at the center of his work for the past 15 years.
News & Updates
Feature
A Look at Nigeria's 2015 General Elections
Nigeria’s 2015 general elections were widely watched by observers, with significant implications for the democratic future of the country. Despite security concerns stemming from Boko Haram, election observation missions applauded the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for its impartiality and professionalism and Nigerians for their enthusiastic participation. While observation missions noted the challenges presented by the use of new technologies, the 2015 general elections were a major development for Nigeria. Indeed, the winning candidate, Muhammadu Buhari, is the first opposition candidate to win a presidential election in Nigeria, setting an important democratic precedent for the country.
News & Updates
Feature
Nigeria’s Election Commission Introduces New Technologies and Processes for the 2015 Vote
Ahead of Nigeria’s 2015 general elections, I traveled to Nigeria to witness the preparations for the vote and the International Foundation for Electoral Systems’ (IFES) support for this vitally important electoral process. IFES has been engaged with Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) since 1999, providing an array of technical assistance to support the country’s electoral and political processes. There are several important developments that have been implemented by the INEC, with support from IFES, in the lead up to the 2015 general elections.
News & Updates
Feature
Nigeria’s 2015 Elections: A Critical Vote for Democracy in Africa
On March 28, Nigerians went to the polls and voted decisively for change. Opposition candidate Muhammadu Buhari won approximately 52 percent of the vote to defeat incumbent President Goodluck Jonathon, who collected 44 percent. Across the country, the conduct of the vote took place in a civil atmosphere, largely undisturbed by violence. Goodluck Jonathon graciously conceded defeat and congratulated Buhari on his victory, a move which was welcomed by the heads of international observer missions. Although there were some reported problems, these elections were a positive harbinger for democracy in Nigeria and Africa at large.
News & Updates
Feature
IFES and INEC Partner to Build Trust in Nigeria’s Elections
Since 1999, the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) has been engaged with the Nigerian Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in a remarkable partnership. In many countries, IFES provides an array of technical assistance – from long-term strategic planning years ahead of an election down to poll worker training in the immediate lead up to a vote.
News & Updates
Feature
IFES President Sweeney Testifies on Capitol Hill on Election Support in Africa
On March 18, 2015, International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) President and CEO Bill Sweeney provided testimony to the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights, and International Organizations on “U.S. Election Support in Africa.” IFES was invited to discuss the implementation of effective electoral assistance in Africa, and to provide recommendations for improving future aid.
News & Updates
Feature
Uncommon Courage: Women on the Front Lines of a Forgotten Conflict
As part of the International Foundation for Electoral Systems’ (IFES) gender empowerment project in Georgia under its program “Strengthening Electoral Processes” funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development, IFES works with local partner organizations to support women to be leaders in their communities, often overcoming the most daunting of odds.