Tools & Resources
Filter by
Type
Publication date
Language
Type
Publication date
Language
News & Updates
Feature
Dialogues on Democracy: Countering Hate Speech in Elections
In this edition of the International Foundation for Electoral Systems’ (IFES) “Dialogues on Democracy,” Editorial and Communications Manager Adam Gallagher speaks with Vasu Mohan, IFES’ regional director for the Asia-Pacific and technical lead for elections, conflict and security, about his IFES white paper, “Countering Hate Speech in Elections: Strategies for Electoral Management Bodies.” Mohan discusses what led him and Senior Elections Specialist Catherine Barnes to write this paper, how it’s been used in places like Indonesia and Fiji, what is distinct about hate speech in elections and how it is often used against women, and the role of the traditional media.
News & Updates
Feature
Reporting on Elections Accurately and Impartially: Training for Journalists in Fiji
As Fiji prepares to hold its next general elections, strengthening the accuracy of election reporting and promoting informed electoral analyses is a critical priority. From February 20-22, 2018, at the invitation of the Fijian Election Office and the Media Industry Development Authority, IFES facilitated a workshop for journalists on importance of reporting on elections accurately and impartially throughout the election cycle.
News & Updates
Feature
Countering Communal Incitement and Hate Speech in Indonesia
As Indonesia enters now a contentious election period consisting of regional elections in June 2018 and national elections in April 2019, it is important that election stakeholders are brought together to discuss and coordinate efforts to tackle these issues. On January 11, IFES held a roundtable on countering hate speech and community incitement in elections in Jakarta.
News & Updates
Feature
She Leads: Empowering Female Candidates Ahead of Local Elections in Sri Lanka
Ahead of Sri Lanka's February 2018 local government election, IFES carried out a women’s leadership program, She Leads SL, that equipped 458 Sinhalese, Tamil and Muslim women with practical campaign skills including fundraising, networking and coalition building, campaign messaging, social media use, public speaking, and development of personal campaign action plans. As a result of the She Leads SL training, nearly 43 percent of alumnae participated as candidates in the 2018 local government elections, utilizing skills gained from the training to elevate their campaigns.
News & Updates
Feature
Photo Gallery: Sri Lankans Learn About their New Voting System
Sri Lanka’s February 10, 2018 local government election introduced numerous changes to the electoral system. Under its U.S. Agency for International Development-funded “Improved Election Management Program,” IFES is working with the Election Commission of Sri Lanka (EC) and local partners to support implementation of inclusive voter awareness-raising programs.
News & Updates
Feature
Nepali Youth Speak Out Against Violence Against Women
IFES works closely with the Association of Youth Organizations Nepal (AYON), a national network of youth-led organizations. AYON recently created a “I Vote Because” campaign and facilitated a mock poll event. In a video, participants speak about ending violence against women in the lead-up to the November 26 and December 7 House of Representatives and State Assembly elections.
News & Updates
Feature
The Principles of Election Reporting
Sri Lanka’s upcoming local government election will introduce numerous changes to the electoral system. The public will need to be informed of these changes in a balanced, impartial and fair manner. To meet this need, on January 8 and 9, IFES organized a two-day media training on principles of election reporting for 37 journalists from Sinhalese, Tamil and Muslim communities from across the country.
News & Updates
Feature
Advancing Disability Rights in Southeast Asia through Regional Network of Advocates
In 2011, IFES established the General Election Network for Disability Access (AGENDA) across Southeast Asia. A creative partnership between disabled persons’ organizations (DPOs) and election-focused civil society organizations, AGENDA serves as a forum to improve access to political and electoral opportunities for persons with disabilities by increasing public awareness and elevating advocacy efforts that call for change.
News & Updates
Feature
A Multi-Stakeholder Approach to Addressing Violence Against Women in Elections
Sri Lanka looks to hold local government elections in early 2018, which will introduce thousands of new women leaders as the country implements its first-ever women’s quota. There is a critical need to mitigate violence against women in elections (VAWIE). To address this need, IFES is working with the Election Commission and civil society partners to implement a series of initiatives that aim to engage a diverse group of electoral stakeholders in comprehensively addressing election violence against women.
News & Updates
Feature
India’s 37 Million “Missing Women”
As part of its U.S. Agency for International Development-funded Women’s Legal Rights Initiative in India, IFES launched the “Dignity of the Girl Child” campaign to address sex selection, infanticide and neglect of the girl-child. IFES’ campaign combined research and advocacy with targeted community-based interventions to sensitize and mobilize district and local administrators, the legal community, civil society, and the public on the need to value the life of the girl-child. It also engaged men as program allies and key decision makers.