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News & Updates
Announcement
IFES Announces Recipients of 2015 Democracy Awards
The International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) will honor former Chairman Attahiru Jega of Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Congressman Ed Royce (R-Calif.) with its 2015 Charles T. Manatt Democracy Award.
News & Updates
Feature
Professor Attahiru Jega: Nigeria’s Champion for Democracy
Nigeria’s former Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega, has been an important force for democracy in Nigeria during his tenure as the country’s top election management official. Recently honored with IFES’ 2015 Charles T. Manatt Democracy Award, Professor Jega stepped down from his post on June 30 with a legacy of increased trust in elections and the INEC.
News & Updates
Feature
Democratic Republic of Congo Elections
Democratic Republic of Congo Elections
News & Updates
Feature
Social Media Rising: Technology Amplifies Stakeholder Voices during 2015 Nigerian Elections
The rise in global social media has significantly shifted the ways in which citizens are able to engage with candidates, parties, electoral officials, and with each other throughout the electoral cycle.
News & Updates
Feature
Civic Education for Free and Fair Elections in Burundi
Already marred by political tensions that have their roots in the 12-year civil war that ended in 2005 under the authority of the Arusha Peace and Reconciliation Agreement for Burundi, the 2015 elections will likely be a historic turning point, for better or worse, in Burundi’s democratic transition.
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.