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Watching Egypt Reform
IFES Vice President for Programs Michael Svetlik was in Egypt during the first phase of the Shura Council elections, which took place January 29-30. He accompanied three members of IFES’ Board of Directors to Egypt who evaluated our progress in assisting electoral stakeholders implement credible electoral processes - critical to the current political transition.
News & Updates
Feature
After the Arab Spring: Challenges for Credible Elections
As citizens of the Middle East and North Africa demand democratic reform through the ballot, it is important to understand the steps that must be taken to conduct elections that reflect the will of the people.
News & Updates
Interview/Speech/Testimony
Egypt’s First Post-Mubarak Elections
On November 28 -29, Egyptians began voting in Phase I of the first post-Mubarak legislative elections. Nine governorates across Egypt went to the polls to begin electing the lower house of Parliament, the People’s Assembly. Antonio Spinelli, IFES Country Director in Egypt, responds to some questions on the election.
News & Updates
Feature
Egypt's Historic Elections Begin
On November 28, Egyptians began voting in the first parliamentary elections since the January 25 revolution. November 28 marked the beginning of Phase I of the People’s Assembly elections; Phases II and III are set to take place in December and January, respectively. Voting for the Shura Council will commence on January 29 and end on March 11, also taking place in three phases. This parliament will be tasked with selecting the 100-person constitutional assembly that will draft Egypt’s constitution. The constitution will determine key issues in Egypt’s democratic transition such as procedures for electing the president, responsibilities of the executive branch, and rights and freedoms for all Egyptians.
News & Updates
Feature
IFES Kicks Off BRIDGE Training in Niger
In September 2010, IFES hosted a showcase of BRIDGE training programs in Niger. The showcase introduced BRIDGE — which stands for Building Resources in Democracy, Governance and Elections — to Nigerien elections officials and representatives from international partner organizations who will participate in more extensive training during the coming year. The professional development modules and activities that comprise BRIDGE have been used around the world to help local and national administrators develop the skills and abilities to carry out fair, efficient elections. IFES’ work with the Nigerien Commission Electoral Nationale Indepéndante (CENI) during the 2010-2011 election process marks the first time BRIDGE has been offered in Niger.
News & Updates
Feature
IFES co-hosts Symposium to Spread Electoral Awareness in Egypt
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.
News & Updates
Feature
IFES Supports Civil Society Organizations in Advance of the 2010 People’s Assembly Elections in Egypt
IFES is supporting civil society organizations conducting voter education activities in advance of the 2010 People’s Assembly Elections in Egypt. During the month of August, IFES co-sponsored a workshop with the Al Ahram Center for Political and Strategic Studies for civil society organizations to discuss women’s political participation. In the month of April, IFES hosted a conference in partnership with the Cairo University’s Faculty of Economics and Political Science and NAS, an NGO that supports persons with disabilities, on access to electoral processes for persons with disabilities. The conference emphasized the importance of political participation among all members of society. It was attended by more than 60 representatives of civil society organizations from across Egypt.
News & Updates
Feature
Election Day in Tbilisi, Georgia
Throughout the month of May, Georgia prepared for elections to choose representatives to local councils (sakrebulos) as well as the mayor of the capital city of Tbilisi. This represents the first time that voters would directly elect a mayor. IFES contributed to pre-election preparations through a number of initiatives, including sponsoring live television debates featuring the Tbilisi mayoral candidates; supporting local organizations to get out the vote, produce debates, and observe the election; facilitating a Memorandum of Understanding on the Abuse of Administrative Resources; producing voter education posters, leaflets, and T-shirts; and other activities. Election Day, May 30, 2010, was peaceful and orderly. The OSCE noted deficiencies in the electoral framework and the uneven playing field, but called these elections "evident progress" towards Georgia meeting its international commitments.
News & Updates
Feature
IFES and Cairo University Host Event on Human Rights in Elections
On Sunday, August 29, 2010, IFES and the Faculty of Economics and Political Science (FEPS) at Cairo University hosted a workshop at the university featuring representatives of the National Council for Human Rights (NCHR). The aim of the session was to discuss the role of the National Council for Human Rights (NCHR) in the election process in Egypt. The main speakers were Dr. Ahmed Mohamed Refaat and Dr. Nabel Ahmed Helmy, members of the NCHR; and Nahla El Madany, a TV reporter and presenter. More than 40 people attended the lively discussion. The event was filmed by two local television crews and footage of the workshop appeared on the local news.
News & Updates
Feature
Televised Candidate Debate in Tbilisi, Georgia
In anticipation of local elections at the end of the month, IFES organized and sponsored live, televised candidate debates for the post of mayor of Tbilisi, Georgia, together with Georgian Public Broadcasting. These debates represent a first in Georgian democracy – live debates featuring candidates running for office have never been produced before.