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{{primarysources|date=February 2009}}
{{primarysources|date=February 2009}}

{{Infobox Institute
|name= International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES)
|established=1987
|chairman= [[Peter G. Kelly]]
|president= [[William Sweeney]]
|budget= $70 million
|location=[[Washington, D.C.]]
|address= 1101 15th Street
|website= [http://www.ifes.org www.ifes.org]
}}


'''IFES''', the '''International Foundation for Electoral Systems''', is an international, non-profit, [[Washington, DC]]-based organization that "supports the building
'''IFES''', the '''International Foundation for Electoral Systems''', is an international, non-profit, [[Washington, DC]]-based organization that "supports the building

Revision as of 13:37, 8 July 2009

International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES)
Established1987
PresidentWilliam Sweeney
ChairPeter G. Kelly
Budget$70 million
Address1101 15th Street
Location
Washington, D.C.
Websitewww.ifes.org

IFES, the International Foundation for Electoral Systems, is an international, non-profit, Washington, DC-based organization that "supports the building of democratic societies". Founded in 1987, IFES has 200 employees with field offices in more than 21 countries throughout Asia, Africa, Europe and the Americas. IFES participates in technical assistance projects for international and bilateral donor organizations such as USAID, the UN, DFID, the OSCE and others. Since 1987, IFES has worked with election assistance and democratic development in over 100 countries.

The current president of IFES is Bill Sweeney, is a member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE).[1] He replaced Jean-Pierre Kingsley in 2009, the former chief election officer of Canada.[2]

IFES receives funding from the following governments/organizations:

  • the US government
  • Canadian International Development Agency
  • Swedish International Development Agency
  • Finnish International Development Agency
  • British Department for International Development
  • private contributions

Areas of activity

  • Electoral Processes: - IFES provides technical assistance to governments, political parties and civil society organizations in election planning and administration, electoral law development, and voter education.[3]
  • Civil Society- IFES states that civil society, which contains two parts: citizens understanding the rights and all citizens being included in the govermental proces, is integral to their operations. In puruit of this they encourage the growth and establishment of organizations tha promote these ideas.[4]
  • Rule of Law - IFES states "Every citizen of every country deserves the opportunity to live under the Rule of Law, and every country has an obligation to enforce the law fairly and effectively."[5] They propose to do this through the establishment of judicial independence, judicial enforcement, transparency, accountability, open government, access to information, whistle blowing, coalition building and human rights.[5]
  • Good Governance - IFES states that "Good governance prevails when government officials manage public institutions in an efficient, transparent manner that is responsive to citizens’ concerns. It also requires that citizens work collaboratively with officials in the pursuit of common social, political, economic and cultural goals."[6] They propose to increase good governance in their realms of activity by "(1) fostering dialogue among government agencies, political parties and civil society organizations; (2) designing programs to increase public participation in the decision-making process; (3) offering government institutions research-based public policy guidelines; and (4) promoting responsive, transparent and accountable governance at the national, regional and local levels."

Voters' rights

The International Foundation for Election Systems (IFES) is committed to extending the reach of democracy through technical assistance and support to governmental and nongovernmental organizations in new and emerging democracies[7] by providing professional advice and technical assistance in promoting democracy and serves as an information clearinghouse on elections, rule of law, governance, and civil society.[8] The key fields of Voters' Rights:

  • My Right to be heard by my government
  • My Right to vote for the first time
  • My Right to run for office
  • My Right to equal access- examples of this are the programs that were sponsored by both Canada and the UN that work with disabled voters and women respectively.[9][10] Part of this process of helping individuals gain access to the polls includes sponsoring local organizations such as the The Lebanese Physically Handicapped Union which promote this access.[11]
  • My Right to choose without fear
  • My Right to a better future

Regions with an IFES Presence

Africa

Nigeria

In March 2009, IFES along with the International Republican Institute and the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs sponsored a discussion of electoral reform in Nigeria.[12] The conference titled "National Dialogue on Electoral Reform" discussed the electoral reform process as well as the recomendations provided by the Electoral Reform Committee. [12] The event was attended by a number of political leaders in the country, including a Chief Justice and Head of State General.[12]

Asia

Azerbaijan
Further information: Elections in Azerbaijan

IFES cooperated with Azerbaijani government through their central election commission.[13] Their association began in an agreement signed in 2000 and was renewed 2002.[13] In 2005, the Azerbaijani CEC had 2 IFES election observors registered along with a number of other international observors.[14] IFES's support of the Azerbaijani CEC was accepted gracefully by the head of the commission, Mezair Penahov; he stressed that " they have efficient cooperation with both international organizations in the direction of raising voter’s awareness and awareness of the members of lower election commissions," regarding IFES's help. [15] While coordinating effirts with the Azerbaijani CEC, IFES has consulted the UK based Association of Electoral Administrators. [16]


Pakistan
Further information: Elections in Pakistan

IFES advised the Pakistani Election Commission during the Elections during which were seriously delayed by the death of Benazir Bhutto. [17] After the election IFES stated that the elections had a "result [that was] not as transparent as at polling stations, and it needs to be for the result system to meet international standards." [18]

Phillipines
Main article: Election Process in the Philippines

IFES is currently supporting the Election Process in the Philippines.

Middle East

Lebenon

IFES sponsors the Lebanese Physically Handicap Union (LPHU) which actively advocates the accessibility of polling places by the handicapped. [19] LPHU found in a recent survey that less than 1% of the polling places in the country of Lebanon are fully accessible by the handicapped.[19]

West Bank/Gaza
Further information: Elections Reform Support Group

IFES has been an active contractor since 2003 with the Elections Reform Support Group (ESRG).[20] ESRG is an international initiative to support the reform of elections in Palestine.[20] This initiative, a cooperative between the Quartet and the UN, wants to improve the potential for safe and democratic elections in this region.[21]

Yemen

IFES has a field office in Yemen headed by Peter Williams, the country director.[22] The IFES field office in Yemen works with the Supreme Commission of Election and Referendum in Yemen to create training for the local election officials.[22] The programs advocated by IFES are supported by the president of Yemen, Ali Abdullah Saleh.[23]

Also, IFES, with the help of the European Union and the Cultural Development Fund, actively supports the increased rights of women as they begin to take part in Yemen's Assembly of Representatives.[24]

Acting as a voice for Democratic Initiatives

Due to the international nature of IFES's work, their staff will often provide commentary on international elections events for media publication. Examples include the president's commentary on Middle East elections, and a staff member's commentary on Sri Lankan politics.

Sources

References

  1. ^ IFES President Receives Honorary Award for Strengthening the UK-US Business Relationship. retrieved June 26, 2009
  2. ^ Kingsley to take international election monitoring post. CBC News. Retrieved 31 January, 2007.
  3. ^ AMERICAN DEMOCRACY AT RISK: AGENDA FOR RENEWAL AND REPAIR, http://www.lwv.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Home&TEMPLATE=/CM/ContentDisplay.cfm&CONTENTID=4323
  4. ^ http://www.ifes.org/civil.html
  5. ^ a b http://www.ifes.org/rol.html
  6. ^ http://www.ifes.org/governance.html
  7. ^ Global Initiative to Enfranchise People with Disabilities - www.electionaccess.org
  8. ^ University of Minnesota Human Rights Library,STUDY GUIDE: The Right to Vote, http://www1.umn.edu/humanrts/edumat/studyguides/votingrights.html
  9. ^ For Voters with Disabilities, http://www.elections.ca/content.asp?section=int&document=pre&dir=bil&lang=e&textonly=false
  10. ^ Enhancing Women's Particpation in Electoral Procceses in Post-Conflict Countries, UN OSAGI, http://www.un.org/womenwatch/osagi/meetings/2004/EGMelectoral/aidememoire.html
  11. ^ Only six out of 1,741 polling stations are accessible to people with disabilities Accessed June 26, 2009
  12. ^ a b c Nigeria: CSO Network and Dialogue on Electoral Reform. Daily Trust (Abuja), from allAfrica.com. April 2, 2009. Accessed July 07,2009
  13. ^ a b IFES and Azerbaijani CEC prolong term of cooperation memorandum. AZ Today, December 16, 2005. Accessed July 08, 2009.
  14. ^ Number of international observers reaches 1060 APA, October 31, 2005. Accessed July 08, 2009
  15. ^ Mezahir Penahov received representatives of USAID and IFES AZ Today, October 5, 2005. Accessed July 08, 2009.
  16. ^ CEC chairman Mezahir Penahov visiting UK. AZ Today, March 03,2007. Accessed July 08, 2009.
  17. ^ Pennington, Matthew. Pakistan Holds Election Key to Democracy. Associated Press, Feb 18, 2008. Accessed July 07, 2009.
  18. ^ Pennington, Matthew. Pakistan Fears Violence on Eve of Vote. Associated Press, Febuary 16, 2008. Accessed July 07, 2009
  19. ^ a b Lee, Hayeon.With dignity and independence: Lebanese with disabilities push for their right to vote this June. NOW Lebanon. May 24, 2009. Accessed June 03, 2009.
  20. ^ a b http://www.ifes.org/westbankgaza.html?page=past IFES-West Bank/Gaza. Accessed June 30, 2006
  21. ^ UNDP/PAPP Support to the Electoral Process in Palestine. UN Accessed June 30, 2009
  22. ^ a b SCER, IFES organize course on election system.Saba.net, The Yemen News Agency.July 4, 2009. Accessed July 6,2009
  23. ^ President receives IFES's Executive Director brietbart.com. May 11, 2009. Accessed July 07, 2009.
  24. ^ Program of supporting women's access to parliament launched. Yemen News Agency, May 10, 2009. Accessed June 26, 2009


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